Okumbi’s record in friendly ties broken: Stars coach had avoided defeat in seven build up ties
Football
By
Gilbert Wandera
| Oct 07, 2017
Girona striker Olunga on target as Kenyans lose to Iraq in Basra, face Thailand tomorrow.
Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi lost his first friendly match on Thursday night as the national team went down 2-1 to Iraq in Basra.
It was the eighth friendly for Okumbi who took over as head coach last year. Prior to Thursday’s loss, Okumbi had won four build-up matches and drawn three times.
Spain-based striker Michael Olunga marked his return to the national team with a late goal which was, however, not enough to cancel out goals by Brwa Nouri and Ahmad Ibrahim.
It was the 15th goal for Olunga who has made 25 appearances for the national team.
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Olunga missed the last two friendly matches as he was trying to settle down at his new Spanish club Girona where he has featured in two matches including starting in the match against LaLiga table toppers Barcelona.
This was the second time that Iraq have beaten Kenya. The first time was in 2003 when they won 2-0 in Bahrain.
The national team return to the pitch tomorrow against Thailand in the second friendly match hoping to get back to winning ways after the loss in Iraq.
Coach Okumbi is unlikely to make any major changes to his starting eleven for today’s fixture with Patrick Matasi expected to start in goal with Simon Mbugua, Aboud Omar, Jockins Atudo and David Owino playing infront of the Rangers custodian.
Jesse Were and Olunga should start upfront in search of goals. Thailand have picked a strong squad for the friendly. Their most experienced forward is 29-year-old Teerasil Dangda who has scored 41 goals in 90 appearances.
Team captain Kawin Thamsatchnana is another experienced player in Thailand squad and is tipped to start between the posts.
After these series of friendly matches, Harambee Stars will regroup to prepare for the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Senior Challenge Cup set to be hosted in Kenya.
The tournament will be played in Mumias, Bukhungu, Mombasa and Afraha stadia.
Harambee Stars last won the regional tournament in 2013 when it was hosted in Kenya.
Elsewhere, Morocco and Ethiopia have emerged as the favourites to host next year’s Africa Nations Championships after Kenya were stripped of the rights to host the event.