Harambee Stars bundled out of CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after 4-1 loss to Eritrea

Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars pose for a photo ahead of a CECAFA Senior Challenge match in Kampala [Courtesy]

Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars have been eliminated from the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup following a humiliating 4-1 loss at the hands of East African neighbours Eritrea.

Goals from Captain Robel Kidane, Abel Solomon Okbay, Habte Gebremesqel and an own goal from the Kenyans ensured Eritrea stayed on course to face either Tanzania or Uganda.

Oscar Wamalwa scored an own goal early in the first half to set the ball rolling for an exemplary Eritrean side, who laid waste to Harambee Stars after the restart.

Okbay doubled Eritrea’s lead five minutes after half-time with a superb strike, leaving the defending champions clutching at straws the KCCA Lugogo Stadium, Kampala.

Wamalwa handed Kenya a consolation four minutes later but goals from Gebremesqel and Kidane stretched Eritrea’s lead.

Head Coach Francis Kimanzi had returned to the touchline after his two-match suspension which kept him away for the clashes against Sudan and Zanzibar.