Harambee Stars  AFCON 2019 qualification hopes had a false start after losing 2-1 to Sierra Leone on Saturday night.

Harambee Stars trailed 1-0 at the break after Boniface Oluoch failed to hold onto a tame 22nd minute shot kick by Gibrila Wobey.

Kei Kamara cutting low cross free kick was hit straight by Wobey and trickled into the Kenya goal.

The match played at the 50 000-seater capacity Siaka Steven Stadium in warm temperatures and it was the hosts who settled down faster.

Stars failed to handle the heat and the early pressure by Sierra Leone and and the howler meant Stanely Okumbi’s men were left playing catch up.

The bumpy pitch made it difficult for a quick, free-flowing game and Stars midfield trio of Victor Wanyama,Ayub Tibe and Antony Akumu failed to get the side moving forward with any vigour.

The hosts relied on their physicality to ensure any threat from the visitors was quickly muted.

Kenya’s best chance came when Wanyama put Eric Johanna through on goal but the Vasalund-forward was ruled off-side.

Harambere Stars efforts to level matters were dealt a blow afer Brian Mandela was shown a red card after a nasty challenge on Kamara.

The second half started off in similar fashion to the first as Harambee Stars again struggled to increase the match tempo and Stanely Okumbi opted to haul off the ineffective Masoud Juma for David Ochieng.

One of Ochieng’s first touches was a wild attempt to hit Michael Olunga’s cross into the nearly hitnet first time but his shot sailed well over the Sierra Leone goals.

The visitors were again punished in 68th minute when laxity by defenders to clear saw Georgia based  defender Eric Ouma bringing down Kei Kamara in the six yard box.

Man at the centre immediately awarded a penalty to the homeside with skipper Umaru Bangura calmy lotting the penalty in handing the home side a 2-0 lead.

Olunga gave Harambee Stars a lifeline in the 69th minute when his sublime free kick went into top let corner into the back of the net.

With the hosts on the back foot despite their numerical advantage, Harambee Stars struggled to get their passing game in order.

The loss left Starnley Okumbi 10 game unbeaten run as Harambee Stars coach shattered- a record he shares with Jacob Ghost Mulei.

Kenya now sit bottom of Group F in their bid to qualify for the 2019 AFCON finals.