Olunga hat-trick comes up short

Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga scored three times as Kenya beat Botswana 4-1 in a 2016 Olympic qualifier. However it was not enough as Kenya were eliminated on away goals-rule. Kenya had lost the first leg 0-3 after FKF disorganization caused them to arrive in the town of Lobatse where the match was played at 3 am on the day of the match.

Olunga’s brilliant performance was undone by Omaatla Kebatho’s first half goal which extinguished all of Kenya’s hopes of advancing to the next round.

“Conceding that goal made things difficult and it is sad how we have lost out on the next round,” said a disappointed Stars coach Bobby Williamson after the match. Williamson is quickly finding out that FKF are not as organized as the Ugandan Federation with whom he accomplished a lot of success.

Olunga opened the scoring after 17 minutes following a pass from Jackson Macharia. Three minutes later, Kebatho tied the score at 1-1. The goal was against the run of play as Kenya had dominated and shown more intent. Olunga scored his second goal following a deft pass from Collins Shivachi.

After the breather, a goal by Vincent Odongo was ruled offside much to the dismay of the sparse crowd which had started to celebrate. John Ndirangu who came on as substitute for John Nairuka made an immediate impact, testing the Botswana goalie in the 72 minute. Three minutes later he scored Kenya’s third goal.

Kenya pushed hard in the waning moments and Olunga scored his 3rd goal when he headed home after the Botswana keeper made an error.