{"id":7341,"date":"2015-09-06T15:05:40","date_gmt":"2015-09-06T15:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/?p=7341"},"modified":"2015-09-07T01:31:01","modified_gmt":"2015-09-07T01:31:01","slug":"olunga-scores-but-kenya-lose-to-zambia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/news\/olunga-scores-but-kenya-lose-to-zambia\/","title":{"rendered":"Olunga scores but Kenya lose to Zambia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Olunga scored his first senior national team goal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga was on target, yet again living up to his promise when he scored a 12th minute goal to give Harambee stars a 1-0 lead over the Chipolopolo of Zambia. However Zambia would soon equalize and go ahead. The game ended 1-2 in favour of Zambia. It was dessapointment yet again for Harambee stars fans who turned out in very large numbers. It was the first time in several years that Nyayo stadium was filled almost to capacity of a Stars match. However the fans were in for disappointment.<\/p>\n

It was Olunga’s first goal in a full international for the national team. He chased a long ball from full back Dennis Odhiambo and used his length to outreach the advancing Zambian goalkeeper for the first goal. Up to this point, Stars were the better side and deserved the lead. The Zambians would capitalize on defensive lapses that left Collins Mbesuma and with acres of free space with which to shoot.<\/p>\n

Mbesuma was critical in the opening goal, holding off a Stars defender before laying off to Winstone Kalengo to score in the 30th minute.\u00a0 Paul Were who had been lively on the flanks was injured and had to be replaced by Innocent Wafula who proved innefective.<\/p>\n

Mbesuma would then score the second in the 44th minute when he was left unmarked and rifled home a low drive.\u00a0It was Kalengo who returned the favour by providing an assist. \u00a0At halftime the large home crowd was in stunned silence while the handful of Zambians in the crowd out-shouted them.<\/p>\n

Ayub Timbe who looked dangerous for much of the first half with his dazzling runs down the flanks was at it again in the second half.\u00a0 But his crosses often went begging. Kennedy Mweene in the Zambia goal was outstanding, thwarting numerous Harambee stars attacks.<\/p>\n

Coach Williamson rung more changes replacing Collins Okoth with Johanna Omollo to add more attacking impetus and bringing on Allan Wanga for the tiring Dennis Oliech. None of his substitutions proved effective.<\/p>\n

In the second half, Zambia employed time wasting tactics with fake injuries much to the chagrin of the crowd. Zambia were not impressive either. They spent much of the second half in a defensive bunker with Kenya doing all the attacking. But Kenya’s porous defence did them huge favours.<\/p>\n

After the match, both skipper Victor Wanyama and keeper Arnold Origi stated that they had let the large crowd down by playing poorly.<\/p>\n

Coach Williamson will soon find himself in the hot seat. He has yet to record a convincing victory. His predecessor Adel Amrouche while not entirely effective, had a better track record\u00a0 after a few matches.<\/p>\n

“Our defenders definitely were not as precise as they should have and we did do very well as we did in Congo. I thought Dennis (Oliech] was my best pick to start rather than bring him later but obviously these guys could have played better than that but that’s just football. ” Said Williamson after the match.<\/p>\n

With regard to the poor defending, many fans concurred that the Gor Mahia central defensive pairing of Shakava and Musa Mohamed would have been a better option than Olum and Mandela who both did not look match fit.<\/p>\n

Paul Were’s early injury also wreaked havoc with Williamson’s plans
\nWere’s injury was a great blow to my plans since he could have played a greater role but we had to take him off and Noah came on wasn’t too effective. It is disappointing since the fans were fantastic turned up optimistic but we never gave them anything to go home happy about” said Williamson<\/p>\n

Line-Ups<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stars:\u00a0Starting XI: 1.\u00a0<\/b>Arnold O, 15. \u00a0David Owino, 17. Lawrence Olum, 5. Brian Mandela, 3. Dennis Odhiambo, 12. Victor Wanyama 13. \u00a0Collins Okoth (6. Noah Wafula), 7. Ayub Timbe 16. Paul Were (Johanna Omolo 9. )10 .Dennis Oliech (11.Allan Wanga), 14.Michael Olunga<\/p>\n

Unused Subs: 18.\u00a0<\/b>Boniface Oluoch, 4. David Ochieng, 8. Bernard Mang\u2019oli, 2. Jesse Were<\/p>\n

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Zambia: Starting XI:\u00a0<\/b>Kennedy Mweene 16, Bendict Chepeshi 12, Boyd Mkandawire 18(Jackson Mwanza 8]<\/b>, Aaron Katebe 5, Stoppila Sunzu 13, Nathan Sinkala, 15\u00a0Chisamba Lungu 3 (Lubambo Musonda 11], Jack Chirwa 6, Collins Mbesuma 9, Winstone Kalengo(Kondwani Mutonda 14]10, Rainford Kalaba (C) 17<\/p>\n

UnusedSubs:<\/b>\u00a0Jacob Banda 1, Solomon Sakala 2, Christopher Munthali 4, Friday Samu 7,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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