Boniface Oluoch in action as Kenya sinks DR Congo
Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch was the only Kogalo player in the starting line-up as Kenya recorded an impressive 2-1 win over DR Congo. This follows a similar victory last year when Kenya beat the Congolese 1-0 in Kinshasa. The man of the moment was former Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga who struck twice. It was his strike that had also sunk the Congolese in Kinshasa. The first goal was especially spectacular as he picked up a pass on from Mandela on the left flank, turned a defender inside out and unleashed a rising shot with his weaker right foot. The second goal was due to good work by Owino Calabar who found fast rising Sammy Onyango. The latters cross was met by Olunga.
In the process, new coach Stan Okumbi continues to silence naysayers including this author. He has yet to lose a match since he was appointed Stars coach. Most fans wondered why a coach with no experience even coaching a KPL team was appointed.
Former Gor Mahia ace David Owino “Calabar” was also in the starting line-up while Kenneth Muguna was on the bench. Bad news for Gor Mahia fans comes in the form of Musa Mohamed’s injury which he picked up against Uganda Cranes.
As for Boniface Oluoch, he has been solid for the national team. But he was less than solid today and will now face intense competition from Patrick Matasi who got rave reviews for his performance against the Uganda Cranes. Twice it required a defender to make a goal line save. And twice, what looked like legitimate goals were disallowed by Kenyan referee Humphrey Omweno of the tear gas fame. See the highlights and judge for yourself.
Match Highlights
Additional reporting from futaa.com
Harambee Stars put smiles on its supporters as two goals from striker Michael Olunga who was celebrating his birthday gave Stanley Okumbi’s side a 2-1 win over DRC Congo in a friendly played on Sunday 26 March 2017 at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
The visitors were the first to produce threats but with the fans behind the home team, Harambee Stars did not take long before they stunned them with Brain Mandela picking Olunga who cut from the left flank and unleashed a fierce shot to give Stanley Okumbi’s side an early lead.
After the opening goal, both teams started to calm down with the game being balanced before Ikoko Jordan got himself in the referee’s book after a tackle on Johanna Omollo. Jesse Were curved in a nice freekick that found David Cheche who headed for a goal but goalkeeper Kiasumbua Joel kept the danger away. In the 27th minute, Kebano Neeksen’s tried to initiate an attack but Wanyama made a sliding tackle to disposes him off the ball. With the visitors looking for an equalizer, a moment of controversy came to place when the Congo players claimed the ball had crossed the goal post line but the centre referee waved the claims away.
Stars almost got a second but Sammy Onyango’s long range effort was tipped out by Congo keeper Kiasumuba Joel from a corner before Mandela headed the ball out. David Owino later connected Jesse Were’s cross to head the ball in but Kiasumbua was on alert to deny him a chance. With the first half almost finished, Junior Kabananga almost gave the visitors an equalizer but Boniface Oluoch made a nice save to deny him.
The second half saw the visitors come with a winning intent and Boniface Oluoch was lucky to see Kabananga’s shot go inches wide before saving a floated corner from Gael Katuka. The visitors continued to pile pressure on Okumbi’s side and they finally found a way when Mandela commited a foul outside the penalty area only for Gael Kakuta to give his side the leveler with a well-taken free-kick. Moments after the goal, Okumbi made his first change of the game; Johanna Omollo out, Paul Were in. Kakuta almost gave Kenyans a moment of scare when he looped the ball over keeper Oluoch but he was ruled for an offside.
However, it was Olunga on the mark again, this time being found by Samuel Onyango to find the back of the net and leave the opponents scratching their heads. With time ticking, Leopards almost found a leveler once more but veteran Joakins Atudo made sure none of that happened with a fine goal line clearance, after Bolingi Jonathan
Malo malo joluo malo tibim. Kochopo kar ball joluo namba one …tibim.
Malo malo Kogallo alumni malo, kogik kar diemo Congo Olunga malo… Hey, let me not heap too much praise on David. Saul may be somewhere listening.
Hehehe Saulo atasoea tu.
Some good news from across the country in the form of hooliganism being bred at Muhoroni Youth backyard and Western Stima being electrocuted by Sofanyambura.
Now that play was stopped when arguments generated into confrontations between players and coaches, will FKF dock their proverbial 3 points from Muhoroni Youth?
Guys, Sofapaka may turn out to be formidable title contenders this year, just watch this space. The title will be a 3-horse race pitting Kogalo, Ingwe and Sofapaka against the also-rans like Brewkenge.
And who watched the Harambee stars match to give us in-depth analysis of each player? Quite embarrassed by Supersport East and KBC who were broadcasting some crazy marathon in Uganda at the expense of this important match.
Wuod Mbita was at Machakos kama kawaida.My assessment is as follows
Player Ratings.
1.Boniface Oluoch. 4/10 Fumbled with crosses and spilt at least two in very dangerous positions. But did well to deny Congo with a one-handed save on reflex to a snap shot from the Congolese No 9. Could not be blamed for the Congo goal as he was let down by his wall, the free kick was expertly taken at far post and had a swerve on it in the end and at full stretch, he still could not get a touch.
2. Joackins Atudo. 5/10. Was solid at the back but offered little going forward. Still playing the yuora nena or to whom it may concern football where you just get the ball out of your area not minding who it goes to. Protected the right side of defence well and was solid even when switched to the left in the dying minutes of the game
3. Aboud Omar. 5/10. Played well defensively and came out on top in the battle with the Congolese offensive right. Struggled with high balls on several occasions that were won by Congo and flicked dangerously into the area.
4 Brian Mandela & 5. David ‘Calabar’ Owino. 7/10. Should be the Stars central pairing for years to come. Both never put a foot wrong and were brilliant in the air. Mandela won all aerial duels and was credited with an assist for the first goal. Calabar was also able to start the game from behind on several occasions and was a threat on set pieces at the other end too.
6. David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng-3/10(Flop of the Match)-Looked lost for most of the match playing in a defensive midfield alongside Wanyama. This is a role he has played before at Tusker and even with Stars but methinks he is more comfortable playing in defence. Lost tackles, created fouls for the opponent and provided little protection for the back four. He redeemed himself a little bit when switched to right back.
7.Samuel’ Daddy’Onyango. 8/10- Another brilliant display by the former Sony man. Gave the Congolese full backs a torrid time with his direct running, trickery and eye for goal. Had an assist and was unlucky not to score after stealing the ball between two defenders beating them for pace but dithering to pull the trigger allowing the Congolese to make a last ditch block for a fruitless corner. Many fans are only noticing Daddy now but keen followers of Kenyan football will testify to his immense skills even with Sony. In fact, he was primed for a Gor move before Ulinzi snapped him up
8. Victor Wanyama. 7/10. Another robust box to box performance by the Spurs enforcer. It is not difficult to see why some pundits consider him one of the best two defensive midfielders alongside Kante in the EPL. Won tackles with ease and picked the forwards wit pin point passes for most of the game.
9. Michael ‘Engineer’Olunga. 8/10(Top of the Match) . A handful for the Congolese backline using his height, speed and venomous left foot to full advantage. Looks like the real deal offensively for Kenya.
10.Johanna Omollo.6/10. Looked jaded possibly from his exerions on Thursday aginst Uganda. Playing in the free role behind Olunga, he offered little creatively and was fr most of the match involved in a long running tag and pull with the opposite Congolese midfielder. Got a booking for his troubles and was wisely pulled out by Okumbi. Still showed glimpses of brilliance with the few touches he had on the ball.
11. Jesse Were.4/10. A player who continues to flop for the national team. Maybe afflicted with the ‘Messi’ curse. Always delivers at club level but flatters to deceive every time they don the national colours. Should have been hauled off earlier than he was. A flat performance by the Zesco man.
Substitutes
1. Ousborne Monday. Replaced Aboud then moved to defensive midfield in a tactical reorganisation. Was neat with the ball and knew when to hold as we run down the clock.
2. Paul Were. In for Johanna and had an on and off day. Apart from two dashing runs beating the Congolese backline, his final ball was poor and was anonymous for most of the time on the pitch.
3. Robison Kamura. Came in for Jesse more so as an after thought or change of plan in my opinion. Initially Muguna had been prepped for substitution but with the Congolese pinning our defence at the back with long balls in the dying minutes, Okumbi opted for Kamura instead to add numbers and height at the back. Wise move although I was disappointed not to see Junior debut for the national team.
#True fan. Kwa matendo ya mitume. Yaani Tim jogor. Keep the fire burning.
Something good about this man, Okumbi. It’s true the bible verse, the stone that had been rejected by the constructors turns to be the formidable corner stone. Many had lamented that Okumbi was a weakling and that stars needs a competent foreigner, but look, his record is better than Adel Amrouch/Bobby Williamsons combined. Let support the stars and pray that Okumbi makes it to cup of nations competitions. According to draws, only team Ghana proves to be a challenge to the stars.
@Admin, I have never seen barcelona fc, arsenal, bayern, man city and many other club websites or blogs discuss national team issues in the club portal, please stick to the real facts, Harrambee stars is not playing the league but Gor will, please tell us how the problems facing K’OGALO right now (unfavorable conditions )are being solved instead of copy pasting paragraphs from futaa and goal.com, please let our site be original and real (get your own news), TUSIDANGANYANE HAPA, Congrats Harambee Stars and Coach Okumbi for the win but SHIDA ZA GOR HATUSAHAU
Blocking comments that speak the truth won’t help K’OGALO, the site becomes boring when you want to control everything admin, watu bado wamekasirika na ofisi ya Gor
Stanley Okumbi, Jadala !
Kenya lost this match 3-2. Very dubious refereeing cost DRC two clear goals.
When will Jesse Were ever score for Harambee Stars…
Can Jesse Were and Olunga be partners upfront?
That is the question that needs to be answered. I don’t see them playing well together. Olunga is a finisher. . He doesn’t share the ball.
As much as we have been told not to make this a forum for discussing HS instead of Gor isn’t this the same Okumbi who was targeted by Gor some times back and the same fans now applauding him had so much bile against him? isn’t this the same thing we said about Zico when he came back and before we kicked him out.
We need more info on Gor . Are we still on strike ? Are we prepared for WS in Kisumu?