World Cup qualifiers: Harambee Stars bounce back after 5-0 win over Seychelles

Michael Olunga celebrates after scoring for Harambee Stars.[FKF]

Michael Olunga scored a brace as Harambee Stars responded in swift action on Monday night after thrashing Seychelles 5-0 in their second World Cup qualifiers match played at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Drawn in a challenging group alongside football powerhouses such as Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles, Kenya kicked off the qualifiers on the back foot after a 2-1 defeat to Gabon at Stade De la Renovation in Franceville.

The defeat left them bottom of Group F without a point and needed to win against Seychelles to revive their World Cup quest once again.

Olunga who has been under much criticism for his lack of goals gave Kenya a dream start after netting in the third minute for a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, Olunga made it 2-0 after converting a rebound to make it 2-0 inside the opening 10 minutes.

Masud Juma who scored in Star’s 2-1 defeat to Gabon then made it 3-0 at the stroke of half time after a quick restart from throw in found the Seychelles defense napping.

In the final half, Gor Mahia sensation Rooney Onyango scored his first international goal for Kenya after sending a thunderous shot into the net in the 62^nd minute.

Fan favorite Benson Omalla then came off the bench to also score his first international goal in the 74^th minute, tapping in Onyango’s assist from close range.

Harambee Stars will play Burundi in their next match in June next year.