Kenya’s football national team, Harambee Stars, beat 2022 World cup hosts Qatar in an international friendly in Doha on Thursday evening.
Amos Nondi came off the bench to score the winner in stoppage time after a brilliant run from Michael Olunga. Joseph Okumu had given Kenya the lead in the 16th minute, but Hassan Al-Haydos equalised for Qatar from the penalty spot 10 minutes from half-time.
Coached by Engin Firat, this game was another opportunity for Kenya to prepare itself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The national team was locked out of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they were serving a ban imposed by FIFA.
Buoyed by a vibrant crowd at the Janoub Stadium, Harambee stars settled into the game more quickly than the hosts.
The double-pivot midfield of Richard Odada and Anthony Agay depicted a high level of understanding and chemistry as they sought to control the game in the early stages.
The first chance of the game, however, fell to Qatar’s forward Yusuf Abdurisag in the seventh minute, who dragged his shot wide off Bryne Odhiambo in the Kenyan goal. Abdurisag was saved by the offside flag that went up.
Kenya’s skipper, Michael Olunga, had a golden chance to put his side ahead in the 13th minute, but his tame shot was parried away by the lingering leg of Qatar’s goalkeeper, Meshaal Barsham.
Barsham was called into action again three minutes later after Masoud Juma danced past a couple of challenges in the box but failed to beat the Qatari custodian.
Kenya’s pressure eventually paid off after Daniel Anyembe won a corner. Kenya Police midfielder Kenneth Muguna floated in the set-piece, which was met by an unmarked Joseph Okumu, who scored the opening goal of the game.
The centre-back, who recently joined French Ligue 1 club Reims, rose highest to score his senior debut goal in national colours. The creator of the goal, Muguna, went into the referee’s book a couple of minutes later for a high challenge.
Qatar were presented with an opportunity to provide an instant response, but Bassam Al Rawi failed to keep his effort down from a Hassan Al-Haydos corner.
Odada was then caught in a tricky position on the half-hour mark as he fell inside his penalty area after receiving a pass. The AaB midfielder meticulously managed to clear the ball while still on the ground, with Qatari players closing him down.
His teammate Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma was not so lucky a minute later. The Swedish-based fullback brought down Abdurisag inside his own area and, despite protests from the captain, Olunga, the centre referee, awarded a spot-kick.
Credit: Sports Brief
