Island nation Comoros’ dream of a first ever place at the Total Africa Cup of Nations gained momentum on Sunday after they beat Kenya’s Harambee Stars 2-1 in Moroni to move to the apex of Group G in round four of the qualification matches for the 2022 showpiece in Cameroon.

The victory took Les Coelacantes to eight points and top of the group, with a three point buffer over second placed Egypt with two rounds of matches left.

Kenya remained third with three points and are now left with a mountain to climb if they are to make it to a second consecutive Cup of Nations.

Faiz Mattoir scored the winner for Comoros four minutes into the second half after Cliff Nyakeya had cancelled out El Fardou Ben’s opener.

Comoros was 1-0 up after 23 minutes when an unmarked El Fardou bounced a header past a helpless Arnold Origi after a cross from the left picked his run.

Kenya were stunned and worked their way back into the game with Nyakeya striking them level after 36 minutes with a low shot inside the box.

Seeing that his side’s attacking play wasn’t up to par, Kenya coach Jacob Mulee made a change, Lawrence Juma coming off for Kenneth Muguna.

But their hopes of winning away from home were dashed four minutes after the restart when Mattoir scored the second goal for the home side after striding into the box from a pass on the right.

Kenya tried to pile in the pressure for a goal, but all their efforts came to nothing. John Avire, Boniface Muchiri, Eric Johannah and Abdallah Hassan were all brought in to strengthen the attack, but nothing was forthcoming for the Kenyans.