Kenya’s Harambee Stars beaten in Cape Verde

Kenya Harambee Stars Michael Olunga(C) is cornered by Marco Suares9L) and Luis Almanda of Cape Verde during their 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Nyayo national Stadium on Friday November 13, 2015. Kenya WON 1-0.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

PRAIA, CAPE VERDE: Heldon Ramos struck twice as Cape Verde beat Kenya 2-0 in the Fifa
2018 World Cup second leg match in Praia.

After soaking up considerable pressure, abetted in part by windy
conditions inside the Estadio National do Cabo Verde, Heldon Ramos’
free-kick caused mayhem in Harambee Stars goal as it bounced over the
Kenyan defenders and into the net for the opening goal.

Heldon then emphatically swept in his second on 52 minutes following a
nice cut back from Djaniny to help Cape Verde into the group stages of
the 2018 Fifa World Cup with a 2-1 aggregate win.

After an impressive 1-0 win over the rising power house in African
football in Nairobi on Friday, hope of an unlikely aggregate win swept
across Kenya ahead of the return leg in the Atlantic Ocean country.

But shambolic travel arrangements that have degenerated into a blame
game between Football Kenya Federation and the Ministry of Sports
contrived to ensure the team endured a 15-hour flight with close to an
hour of stoppages in Kampala, Uganda, Kano (Nigeria) and Dakar
(Senegal) before finally landing in Cape Verde.

And, perhaps eager to take advantage of Kenya’s late arrival after
bungled travel arrangements saw Harambee Stars arrive in Praia less
than three hours to kick off, the Blue Sharks got off the blocks
pretty fast.

The visibly weary visitors had the crossbar to thank just after kick
off as Djaniny headed against the woodwork.

The hosts ensured Kenya’s goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch busier custodian
as the Gor Mahia man came to the rescue of Kenya spreading himself to
block Tiago Miguel Almeida’s point blank attempt for a fruitless
corner just after 10 min.

The Cape Verdians hurried and hustled the Kenya Heldon went close in
the 13th minute after a dicey cross from 13.

Oluoch came off his line on 15 minutes to punch away a dangerous
looking cross as Heldon bore down on goal.

Odair Fortes lined up to have a pot-shot at the Kenyan goal. He went
close, but Oluoch had done well to cover his closest goalpost as the
ball flashed past the upright.

Kenya appeared to keep their hosts at an arm’s length well into
stoppage time of the first half. But a dicey free-kick into the Kenyan
defence caused mayhem as Heldon’s attempt was headed into the roof of
the net by David Owino.

If Cape Verde’s opening goal was fortuitous, the second was well
crafted as Djaniny wriggled his way in from the left channel to set up
Heldon to finish with aplomb.

Kenyan coach Bobby Williamson then decided to through into the fray
all his available attackers bring in Jacob Keli, Jesse Were and
Christian Bwamy.

The move appeared to unsettle Cape Verde as the trio, in for Kevin
Kimani, Collins Okoth and as Kenya pushed an away goal.

For all their grit in the second half nothing by way of a goal was not
forthcoming with Keli seeing a half a chance snuffed out by goalkeeper
Vozinha when he attempted to chest down the ball.

In the end, Cape Verde were good value for their win to advance to the
group stages of the Fifa 2018 World Cup.