Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga when he visited Kenya national team Harambee Stars at their Tiba Rose Plaza in Cairo, Egypt on June 20, 2019. He is accompanied by Kijana Wamalwa and Kenya ambassador to Egypt Joff Otieno. [Photo/Stafford Ondego]

Former Prime Minister and now African Union Commission High Representative for Infrastructure Development Raila Odinga on Monday sent a message of hope to the Kenya men’s national football team (Harambee Stars) folliwng their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Senegal in an Africa Cup Of Nations Group C match played at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.

Senegal produced a stellar performance in the second half to see off Kenya and reach the last 16 as group runners up. This is after Algeria hammered Kenya’s neighbours Tanzania in another fixture.

Ismaila Sarr scored Senegal’s first goal in the 63rd minute after first-half hero Patrick Matasi was found in no man’s land - a testing cross troubling the Harambee Stars defence. Matasi misjudged his run and fell on defender Philemon Otieno as the ball fell for Sarr who calmly slotted home to give Senegal the lead.

Sadio Mane outmuscled Musa Mohammed with 20 minutes to go to slot home past Matasi and hand the Lions of Teranga their second goal.

Mane celebrates scoring Senegal's second goal [Courtesy]

Senegal sealed the game in the 78th minute with Sadio Mane making no mistake against Matasi from the penalty spot.

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Harambee Stars had started strongly in the first 10 minutes, pinning the West African nation in their half but created very little to unsettle the Koulibaly-led defense.

For the better part of the second half, Olunga cut alone figure upfront with the introduction of John Avire having little effect as Kenya were reduced to 10 men in the final 14 minutes.

Kenya will now have to wait to see what happens in Group E and F to find out if they have a mathematical chance of progressing to the Knockout stage.

After the match, the former Premier took to his Twitter to applaud Harambee stars for their efforts:

“Thank you #HarambeeStars for giving your best. We live to fight another day. Let’s build on the #AFCON2019 experience for future tournaments. Great effort by Patrick Matasi…”

Thank you #HarambeeStars for giving your best. We live to fight another day. Let’s build on the #AFCON2019 experience for future tournaments. Great effort by Patrick Matasi. — Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) July 1, 2019