Kenya’s Harambee Stars U-17 suffered an embarrassing defeat in a first round of group ‘B’ COSAFA U-17 Championship 2016 tie when they lost 4-0 in a match played at the St Francois Xavier Stadium on Friday 22 July 2016 in Mauritius

The 1100hrs local time kick off saw Zambia carry a 4-0 half time lead after quick goals in the 4th and 13th minute  from Nicholas Mulilo with Domiano Kola, and Kula Nkandu putting more pain to the young Harambee stars squad with beautiful goals in 35th minute and 43rd minute.

Zambia was the better side in the first half forcing Kenya to concede first goal from goal keeping error.More defensive errors made Zambia ran rampant pushing the Stars in their half with nice raids coming from Mulilo who missed several other chances with only goalkeeper to beat in 30th minute and 45th min.

In the second half the plot changed for Kenya when defender Daniel Wambua and Jeremy Murithi came in for Otieno and Njeri.

Kenya’s best chance came in second half when Eric Muriithi left footed one timer at 54th minute that was however saved by Benson Mwale . He had timed Zidane Karume’s pass well that came off a build up from deep.

Kenya’s overall play improved ten minutes after the hour mark with young stars pushing Zambians to their half.

With five minutes to time Muthoka Mulei should have done better with a lose ball in the box that came off a back header flip off an initial free kick but it went wide.

The loss puts the youngsters in a tough position and they have to win their next two matches against Malawi and Madagascar for them to book a spot  in the  semifinals.

Starting line-ups:
Zambia XI: Benson Mwale, Justin Mwanza, Benjamin Phiri, Kasonde Mulenga, Kunda Nkandu, Damiano Kola, Castrol Siakotale, Chanda Mukuka, Danny Kunda, Ponsirio Kapampa, Nicholas Mulilo.
Kenya XI: George Ouma, Brian Otieno, Clinton Machaka, John Njuguna, Zidane Karume, Ibrahim Onnangwe, Telvin Njeri, Kenneth Karungari, Muthoka Mulei, Eric Murithi, Brian Omutanyi.