Harambee stars revive WC qualification hopes with dominant win over Seychelles

Abidjan, 

Monday, 20 November, 2023. 

McCreadie Andias 

Michael Olunga's early first half brace helped Harambee stars secure a crucial 5-0 win over Seychelles in the 2026 World cup qualifiers match played at Abidjan in Ivory Coast on Monday evening. 

Starts had just come from a 2-1 setback against Gabon last week but changed some of their tactics and lineups to secure the three points. 

It wasn't much a surprising victory as Seychelles had just come from a 9-0 thrashing in the hands of Ivory Coast on Friday. 

Coach Engin Firat made two changes in the first 11 which started against Gabon Thursday last week, introducing Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma in the left-back role, in the place of Aboud Omar as Eric Johanna started in the place of Kenneth Muguna.

Olunga opened the scoresheet in the 3rd minute and added another in the 6th minute of the match. 

Stars failed to capitalize on alot of chances in the early stages of the match which would have made the scoreboard worse for the Hosts. 

Olunga failed to bag his hat trick missing on a one-on-one chance against Seychelles goal keeper. 

Just before the break, Juma escaped his marker to make it 3-0 building from Johanna’s throw ball, as he headed the ball down before unleashing a powerful shot into the right corner of the net.

At the restart of the Second half , Ouma, who had missed last week’s 2-1 loss to Gabon due to injury, was withdrawn for Omar – the Kenya Police defender.

Gor Mahia's Onyango added more woes to The Host's net by adding the four in the 62nd minute this being his third match for stars. 

With 25 minutes left, coach Firat withdrew Johanna and Juma for Ayub Timbe and Omalla, the latter making his debut in a competitive Stars’ match.

Three minutes later unmarked Omalla was set up by his Gor teammate Onyago in the box, and made no mistake as he scored the fifth, his first for the national team.

Firat also gave new call up Nabi Kibunguchy and Timothy Ouma a chance to partake in the win, introducing them just five minutes before the final whistle.

The win means Kenya has three points in group F, same as Burundi but up on goal difference of positive four, while Ivory Coast who beat Gambia 0-2 Monday evening top the group with six points.

Gabon, having beaten Kenya and Burundi, has six points too, but with weak goal difference compared to Ivory Coast, who boast of a massive positive 12.

Kenya’s next matches of the campaign will be in June 2024, against Burundi a nd Ivory Coast respectively.