Anthony Akumu shines as Harambee Stars sail to final
Gor Mahia’s defensive midfielder, Anthony Akumu was named man of the match as Kenya’ Harambee Stars beat Kilimanjaro Stars of Tanzania mainland 1-0 in the 2013 CECAFA cup final.
The all important goal came in the 5th minute when Akumu’s shot was parried by club-mate and Kili Stars keeper Ivo Mapunda. Clifford Miheso was first to the resulting loose ball and scored on the rebound.
The match was originally scheduled for Kenyatta stadium Machakos but a heavy downpour doomed those plans causing the officials to move the match to Nyayo stadium where the game was played in a stadium that was virtually empty.
Overall it was a much better performance by kenya who dominated the first twenty minutes before Tanzania came into the game. First it was Erastus Nyoni whose shot was saved by Duncan Ochieng in the 45th minute. Then Thomas Ulimwengu whose shot slammed the cross bar.
Mapunda spilled another long range effort, this time from Francis Kahata but he was able to recover before the marauding Miheso could pounce on anther rebound.
Edwin Lavatsa, who had a superb game for Stars on the right wing, had two shots from his left foot after cutting in from the right going just over. Lavatsa again forced a superb save from Mapunda on a free-kick after Kahata was fouled at the edge of the box.
Tanzania almost equalized on 89 minutes, but Mbwana Samatta saw his shot go just wide. Kenya will now face a tough Sudanese side that eliminated Ethiopia and Zambia on their way to the final.
Line-Ups
Kenya: Duncan Ochieng (GK), 15. David Owino, 2. James Situma, 3. Aboud Omar, 114. Jockins Atudo, 7. Peter Opiyo, 10. Francis Kahata, 4. Anthony Akumu, 13. Clifton Miheso, 11. Allan Wanga (Cpt), 20. Edwin Lavatsa
Substitutes: 1. Jerim Onyango (GK), 19. Musa Mohamed, 17. Paul Muigai Kiongera, 8. Mulinge Ndetto, 6. Noah Wafula, 5. David King’atua, 12. David Gateri, Not playing; 9. Jacob Keli, Wycliffe Kasaya
Tanzania Mainland: 1. Ivo Mapunda (GK), 5. Kelvin Yondani (Cpt), 4. Erasto Nyoni, 13. Pius Michael Aidan, 15. Said Moradi Hussein, 16. Frank Domayo Raymond, 14. Dilunga Saleh, 9. Ramadhan Kiemba, 11. Thomas Ulimwengu, 10. Mbwana Samata, Mrisho Ngasa
Substitutes: 18. Deogratius Bonevetur Munishi (GK), 3. Athuman Idd, 6. Himid Mao Mkani, 8. Athuman Chanongo, 7. Yahaya Singano, 12. Raid Mussa, 20. Ismail Adan Gambo, 19. Hassan Mrugau, 2. Salum S. Abubakar Coach: Kim Poulsen (Denmark)
Please look at the facebook update of NTV and see how the name of Gor is being miss-used NTV is expressing an attack to a lawyer then puts the picture of the fans on the profile..it follows neccessarlly that it was Gor fans that did the act. i appeal to the managemnyt of the team to take action.
Fredrick
Gm well represented hvn 6players in Hstars is not ajoke thou we wl miss u guz on sato that gvs others opportunity 2 show there talent. Bataro n co kazi kwenu. Wl the real fans stand up n b counted on sunday election.its time 4r change that we can belive in.
Why is it that Akumu plays so well in Harambee stars than in Gor. Its high time Gor find a way to motivate these young players including Lavatsa. Maybe their pay is small so they dont give their whole for their clubs.
Omera George u are very right.Akumu plays exceptionally well for Harambe Stars than Gor and this could be due to a number of reasons.infact this boy has surprised with his performance in the ongoing tournament.For me him together with Salar of Sudan have been players of the tournament.is it coz of our TB? We need.answers! Viera is very talented and if he’s focused enough and plays his heart out he can go places.
Guys lets support our players and always point out when they play well.lets put club loyalties aside and speak the truth.many players have done well but Aluminum has been cut above the rest.I read somewhere in this site bout certain sycophant who couldn’t support Gor players and this made me so sad.am sick my brothers. Yes everybody has done well that’s y we are in the finals.pray that we lift the title.
The Gm technical bench please you are wasting the talent that we have in Gm. Akumu was agud player when being managed by Logarusic & sianga. in fact he was the midfielder of the. year last season. maybe the two Bobbies can tell us wat went wrong with him this season. Anyway Teddy keep up and the sky is the limit. M urging you not to dare join Simba, Yanga or Adam coz Tanzanian premier league is really wasting our boys. Where is Humphrey Mieno?.