By Austin Oduor Otieno ,
The Kenya U23 team also known Harambee Starlets was eliminated by the Botswana Young Zebras by an away goal rule despite winning the match by a huge 4-1 margin at the Nyayo National Stadium today 9th May 2015.Kenya therefore fail to progress to the next round of the competition where they would have encountered Zambia.
Gor Mahia danger man Michael Ogada Olunga scored a hatrick to add his tally to 8 in all competitions. He therefore scores his first hatrick in a national jersey. John Ndirangu scored the other goal.
The match begun at slow pace with Kenya showing early intent to score when Victor Ndinya was judged to have dived in the Botswana penalty area. He was cautioned thereafter.
Michael Olunga opened the scores to much of the crowds delight when he was set up by hard fighting John Macharia.However 2 minutes later Goalkeeper Ian Otieno who started in place of Mathare United’s Robert Mboya was tested twice by the speeder Botswana forwards but he was upto the task.
Omeatla Kebatho who had ealier scored a brace in the first leg in Lobatse silenced the crowd with an equalizer two minutes later,a goal which proved very vital for the visiting Young Zebra’s as it counted at the end sending them through to Round 2.However the Kenyan defense regrouped before the scorer was substituted after sustaining an injury. He was replaced by Makgantai Onkabelise.
Michael Olunga put Kenya ahead in the 33rd minute with a clinical finish. The Young Zebras had to change their way of play as they resorted to defense. They held on until the breather with the scoreline 2-1 in favour of the hosts.
In the second half, Kenya needed to score 3 goals without reply to progress to the next round and Coach Bobby Williamson had to think otherwise. The second half saw Kenya dominate in the first minutes of the game to find a third but their efforts were thwarted by the rare guard of the Botswana defense..Vincent Odongo, the Mathare United captain had his goal ruled offside. Bobby Williamson then rested Thika United youngster John Nairuka with John Ndirangu,a move that paid off in the 75th minute when John Ndirangu scored from long range after a through pass from David Gateri to stretch Kenya’s lead to 3-1.
Man of the Match Michael Olunga showed why he was missed in Lobatse when he scored his third and Kenya’s fourth of the day adding his tally in all Competitions’ to eight goals.
Kenya U23 was now just a goal away from reaching the second round with less than 5 minutes remaining. The home team raided the Botswana defense area but were unlucky to get the winning goal as the match ended 4-1 in favour of Kenya (4-4 aggregate).
Botswana therefore qualifies to the next round where they will meet Zambia U23 in a two legged match in Rond two for a place in Round 3 with the winner making it to Round three where South Africa,Gabon,Algeria,Morocco,Ivory Coast and
Egypt are courtesy of byes . The Under 23 African Championship will be hosted by Senegal and the winner,runners up and the winner of the play offs will represent Africa in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De jenairo,Brazil
Kenya U23 team
Ian Otieno (Goalkeeper)
Collins ShivachRobinson Kamura,David Gateri,Vincent Otieno(Harrison Nzivo),Stephen Wakhanya,Vincent Odongo(David Kingatua)John Nairuka(John Ndirangu)
Botswana U23
Goitseone Phoko (Goalkeeper)
Mosha Gaolaolwe, Kaone Vanderwesthuizen, Bogosi Kaekwa,. Thato Kebue, Lebogang Ditsele,. Letlhogonolo Senwelo, Kabelo Seakanyeng,Mpho Kgaswane . Gape Mohutsiwa Karabo Phiri Omaatla Kebatho ,Onkabetse Makgantai)
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