Harambee Stars frustrate Tanzania’s Taifa Stars to barren draw

Kenya in action against Tanzania during the first leg of the 2020 Africa Nations Championship qualifier at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. [Stafford Ondego]

National football team, Harambee Stars, frustrated Tanzania’s Taifa Stars to a barren draw in yesterday’s first leg tie of the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam.

The draw comes barely a month after Kenya twice came from behind to overcome Tanzania 3-2 in Cairo, Egypt, in an Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash dubbed the ‘East African derby’.

Kenya will now be hoping to secure a win in Sunday’s return leg at Kasarani and consequently book a date with Sudan in the final qualifying round of the local-based players’ tournament. The continental finals will be held in Cameroon early next year.

The match saw Kariobangi Sharks duo of goalkeeper John Oyemba and midfielder Duke Abuya together with Wazito sensation Musa Masika make their senior team debuts.

Masika is the younger brother of China-based winger Ayub Timbe.

An experienced Tanzanian side nearly took an early lead in the fourth minute, but Idd Nado’s strike went agonisingly over the bar with Oyemba well beaten.

Gor Mahia defender Joash Onyango then reacted first to deny Simba SC talisman John Bocco a scoring chance after a defensive mistake from Clifton Miheso, who was deployed in an unfamiliar left-back role.

Kenya’s first chance of the game came in the 14th minute when Masika, made a good run on the right flank only for his goal-bound shot to be blocked by Simba defender Gadiel Michael.

Moments later, Whyvonne Isuza saw his long-range effort go wide as Sebastian Migne’s boys settled into the game.

Taifa Stars responded with a fantastic team build up in the 35th minute, but Bernard Ochieng brilliantly tackled Bocco in the box to the disappointment of home fans.

Oyemba then came off his line to intercept a corner kick as Bocco lurked in the area.

Kenya coach made a tactical change just after the break with Masika paving way for Gor Mahia winger Samuel Onyango.

Tanzania came close to opening scoring inside in the 49th minute after earning three consecutive corner kicks, but the Kenyan defence withstood the early pressure.

Hassan Dilunga thought he had given Taifa Stars the lead in the 58th minute only for his goal to be ruled out for offside.

Tanzania intensified their attack, piling pressure on the visitors’ backline, but the Kenyans held their nerve to secure a goalless draw.

Coach Sebastien Migne felt the draw was a fair result. “It was difficult at the beginning of the first half, but we were better in the second half. So, maybe the draw is okay for both teams.

Now, it will be a good opportunity for my youthful team to learn again as they have a great possibility to qualify to the next round,” Migne said.