FT MAURITIUS 2-5 KENYA

Kenya whitewashed minnows Mauritius 5-2 to hand head coach Bobby Williamson his first competitive match win at the helm of Harambee Stars since coming on board in 2014.

The FIFA World Cup preliminary match was played on Wednesday 7, at the Anjalay Stadium in Mauritius.

The East Africans however need to firm up their game especially at the back which looked unsettled throughout the match as they look forward to the return leg slated for Sunday 11, in Nairobi.

Mauritius started the match strongly and forced Kenyan keeper Boniface Oluoch to a double save minutes after kick-off, however the visitors imposed themselves in the game and in the 20th minute, Johana Omollo who had a good evening opened scoring tapping in Michael Olunga’s to silence the home crowd.

Barely three minutes after restart, dazzlingly hot Ayub Timbe Masika doubled the lead scoring direct from a corner kick before Harun Shakava tapped in another Michael Olunga assist minutes after second half.

Kenya then looked complacent thereafter and almost allowed Mauritius back into contention when Andy Sophie was brought down in the box by Musa Mohammed – he stepped up to cooly slot home the resultant penalty. Captain Jonathan Bru then doubled their score in the 78th minute from a goalmouth melee.

Sensing danger Williamson pulled out colorless Allan Wanga for Kevin Anwayi, Stars then upped their game and in the 82nd minute Johana Omollo grabbed a brace heading home Kevin Anwayi’s cross from the left before Micheal Olunga put his name on the score sheet firing, past keeper Jean Louis from Teddy Akumu splitting pass.

The aggregate winner will face highly rated Cape Verde in the second round of the qualifier.

Kanya’s Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Boniface Oluoch

Defenders: Harun Shakava, David Ochieng, Dennis Odhiambo, Edwin Wafula

Midfielders: Victor Wanyama, Ayub Timbe, Johana Omolo, Anthony Akumu

Strikers: Allan Wanga and Michael Olunga

Substitutes: 18-David Okello,(GK) 2 Musa Mohammed, 17 Kevin Amwayi, 16 Abdilatiff Omar,10 Johanna Eric,9 John Ndirangu, 13 Stephen Wakhanya.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com