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Much-fancied Ghana fall to Harambee Stars

By STEVEN OMONDI September 8th, 2018 2 min read

Ten-man Harambee Stars held out for a priceless 1-0 win over Ghana’s Black Stars on Saturday at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani to put their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign back on track.

The all-important goal came in the 39th minute courtesy of an own goal by Nicholas Opoku during a particularity good spell for Kenya in the first half.

Kenya was rewarded when Eric Johanna’s searching cross from the right forced Opoku to stab the ball into his own net under pressure from Michael Olunga.

Earlier on, Kenya had the first sight on goal four minutes into the match when Ovella Ochieng broke free from the right and stung the palms of Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori with a hard low drive.

ANXIOUS MOMENTS

On the other end of the pitch, a defensive lapse gifted Majeed Waris a shot on goal but Patrick Matasi was alert.

Both teams gradually settled into the game, but it was Harambee Stars who were creating all the clear cut chances in the first half.

 Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne follows the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ghana at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO
Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne follows the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ghana at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO

Before Kenya’s goal there were anxious moments for Ghana when a long a ball punted forward saw Olunga drawing out Ofori from the 18 yard box but the goalkeeper recovered remarkably well to block the lanky forward’s attempted cut back from a tight angle on the left.

Ghana started the second half the stronger of the two sides and Afriyie Acquah came close in the 53d minute with a free header from the back post that flashed past a gaping goalmouth.

STRAIGHT RED

Then disaster struck for Kenya with half an hour to go when Joash Onyango was shown a straight red card for a clumsy tackle on Waris right on the edge of the box.

Thomas Partey however failed to make anything meaningful from the resultant free kick.

Kenya barely hanged on in the closing stages of the match under a sustained onslaught from the Black Stars who were desperately looking to get back into the match.

 Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga celebrates after an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO
Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga celebrates after an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO

With the result Kenya moved to joint second on 3 points with Sierra Leone who beat them 2-1 in the opening group.

Ghana remained top of Group F on goal difference but with Ethiopia hosting Sierra Leone on Sunday, the standings could change.

Kenya starting line up: Patrick Matasi, Aboud Omar, Philemon Otieno (Joackins Atudo), Joash Onyango, Musa Mohammed, Ismael Gonzalez, Dennis Odhiambo, Francis Kahata, Eric Johanna (David Ochieng), Ovella Ochieng, Michael Olunga

Ghana starting line up: Richard Ofori, Andy Yiadom, Dan Opare, Nicholas Opoku, Daniel Amartey, Afriyie Acquah, Ebenezer Ofori, Christian Atsu, Edwin Gyasi, Thomas Partey, Majeed Waris