Kenya’s Harambee Stars blank Ethiopia in Nairobi
Kenya’s Harambee Stars inched closer to a first ever African Cup of Nations appearance in 14 years after blanking Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex 3-0 at a fully packed Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday. First half goals from Michael Olunga and Eric Johannah sent Stars going before skipper Victor Wanyama added the third from the spot.
The victory now takes Kenya to seven points in Group F and closer to the Cup of Nations after their victory against Ghana and the point away to Ethiopia.
“I think we are on the way and this win today is a huge one for us. We are not yet there and we have to remain humble. We played fantastic football today infront of a full stadium and that gave us a lot of energy. We will see if we play next month against Sierra Leone but I am happy because I know we can now dream,” Kenya coach Sebastien Migne said after the match.
Skipper Victor Wanyama was also pleased with the result, lauding the players for putting up an emphatic performance against a good Ethiopian side.
“Today we played like a team and everyone gave their best. There was no way we could let down the fans and now the journey to AFCON continues. We will keep working hard in every game and ensure we get results,” Wanyama said.
Ethiopian coach Abraham Mebratu was dejected with the loss which might see them bow out of the race to a place in Cameroon next year.
“We conceded two quick goals and that put us off after 25 minutes. We were not at our best today and I think Kenya deserved to win the game. We now wait to see what happens with Sierra Leone, we will keep fighting,” Mebratu noted.
Buoyed by a partisan crowd that brought their voices to the full to capacity Stadium, Kenya had a good start into the game being industrious in attack especially on the right channel where Johannah operated from.
In the seventh minute, Erick Ouma picked the ball at the edge of the box but his low shot went wide after Olunga had won possession in the middle of three Ethiopian players.
The Ethiopians had a temporary period of domination where they took the ball and played their trademark passing game, trying to open up the Kenyan back-line that has not conceded a single goal in three games.
They had half chances with skipper Getaneh Kebede striking a shot wide from the right while Shemeles Bekele also tried with a freekick from the right which went wide.
But, Kenya were not about to ley their guard down and hit a quick two within four minutes. Olunga opened the scores in the 23rd minute with a superb left foot curler from the right after Johana had touched down the ball for him.
Four minutes later, Stars would be two up and Kasarani would explode with Johana striking another breath-taking goal with his weaker left foot.
In the second half, Stars started on the front foot and their early pressing bore fruit after 66 minutes when Johana was brought down as he skillfully went past an Ethiopian defender.
Skipper Wanyama stepped up to the pressure and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to seal the victory. He was however substituted after 72 minutes after picking up a muscle strain, a worry for his club Tottenham Hotspur.
In the final 10 minutes, Kenya should have added more goals, first Dennis Odhiambo’s rasping shot from range being tipped over for a corner by Assefa before Olunga missed a golden chance one on one with the keeper, tapping the ball wide.