Harambee Stars concede late to settle for draw against Russia

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya national soccer team, Harambee Stars settled for a 2-2 draw against Russia in an international friendly match played at the Titanic Sports Complex in Turkey on Monday evening.

Russia took the lead in the 8th minute, before Anthony Teddy Akumu equalised in the 19th minute.

Coach Engin Firat's charges took the lead through Juma Masud's goal in the 37th minute, and were poised for a win before Russia fought back and equalised in the 88th minute.

Byrne Odhiambo started in between the posts for Harambee Stars as Amos Nondi, Joseph Stanley Okumu, Erick Ouma, Richard Odada, Anthony Teddy Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Rooney Onyango, Masud Juma and captain Michael Ogada Olunga completed the first 11 lineup.

Patrick Matasi, Brian Bwire, Daniel Sakari, Brian Mandela, Collins Sichenje, Vincent Harper, Alpha Onyango, Ayub Timbe and Moses Shummah were among those who started on the bench.

Before the match, skipper Olunga who plies his trade with Qatar's Al-Duhail side said that they were going to compete.

"We are going out to compete. This is a good test against a worthy opponent. We will give a fight," he said.

The game against Russia was the final test match ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to kick off in November, 2023.

Harambee Stars have been pooled in Group F alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi and Seychelles.

It is worth noting that Russia football team was banned by both EUFA and FIFA from all international competitions, after the country's armed forces invaded neighbours Ukraine in 2022.