Okumbi’s Kenya U20 team held: Rwanda strike late on to deny Kenya victory in Machakos

Kenya Vincent Wasambo (left) and Placide Uwineta of Rwanda during U20 African Qualifier match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County on Sunday April 1, 2018. [Jonah onyango, Standard]

 

Herculean task for Okumbi’s men after frustrating draw against Rwanda.

Stanley Okumbi started his Kenya U20 coaching stint on a low note after the Rising Stars were held to 1-1 draw by Rwanda in yesterday’s first leg of the U20 Afcon qualifiers, at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

Richard Odada gave the hosts an early lead in the seventh minute only for Rague Byikingiro to break Kenyans’ hearts with an important away goal for Rwanda deep into the stoppage time.

The result left the junior team with a mountain to climb ahead of the return leg on April 20 in Kigali. The winners on aggregate will play Zambia in the second round of the competition.

“Of course, I’m a little bit disappointed with the results. Sometimes that’s what happens in a game when your key players fail to rise up to the occasion. But I cannot say it is over, we still have a chance to progress if we plan well for the second leg,” said a visibly disappointed Okumbi.

“We just need to remain positive and prepare well. I think we were a bit unlucky. We will work on our passing and execution before the Kigali trip.”

But for his Rwanda counterpart Vincent Mashami, the visitors were the better side and deserved a point.

“We lost concentration in the first ten minutes and that’s how we conceded. But I was very happy with the commitment and the never give up spirit of the boys,” said Mashami.

“Although we’re trailing, I think we were better as a team for we continued pressing. We still have another 90 minutes of football. The return leg will be much more difficult than this one.”

Kenya went ahead when Odada latched onto Keegan Ndemi’s deflected free kick to beat goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari with a powerful low shot.

Two minutes later Kenya had a chance to double the lead, but Musa Masika shot directly at the keeper before his second attempt was intercepted by one of the opposing defenders.

Rwanda responded immediately but Byikingiro’s header went agonisingly over the bar.  Protais Sindambiwe then saw his shot comfortably saved by Kenya goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi.

Boniface Onyango would feebly shoot at the keeper on the half hour mark before Odada superbly challenged Sindambiwe in the box only to be denied a scoring opportunity.

Sydney Lokale should have doubled the lead for the hosts when he received a long ball three minutes into the second half, but he feebly shot at the keeper.

Moments later, Rwanda defender Placide Aime made a brilliant goal line clearance to block Lokale’s effort after the lanky Kariobangi Sharks man had rounded off the keeper before Ogada’s shot at the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

On the hour mark, Stars captain Alpha Onyango miserably failed to connect with substitute Erick Ng’eno’s delivery from the left flank.

Onyango came to Stars rescue when be blocked  Byikingiro’s dangerous cross from the right flank as the visitors piled pressure searching for an equaliser.

Rwanda keeper had to come off his line in the 75th minute to stop Lokale from doubling the lead. Katasi pulled off a fine save, punching away Christian Ishimwe’s well taken free kick before Byikingiro capitalised on Kenya’s defensive error to draw level in the 88th minute.