The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Stars start World Cup campaign with a rigid performance

Football

By By Gilbert Wandera | Jun 03, 2012

By Gilbert Wandera

Harambee Stars failed to go past a stubborn Malawi as the visitors claimed a point in the opening match of Africa Group F 2014 World Cup qualifiers at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

It was a forgettable start for the home-side who will be under pressure to pick three points when they go to Namibia next Sunday for their next match of the qualifiers.

Fielding at least three new players in the starting line-up, the Stars struggled to gell and found it difficult to beat the difficult Malawi defence.

Worse for Stars, the visitors were taller in defence and dealt with most aerial crosses.

Keep Reading

Kenya had their first chance of the match in the fourth minute, but Dennis Oliech was cut off for a fruitless corner after Humphrey Mieno had picked him out with a great pass.

The visitors responded by forcing a corner in the seventh minute as they dominated the midfield, denying Stars balls in this department.

Intercepted pass

After ten minutes Kevin Kimani intercepted a James Sangala pass, but did not do much with the effort as he was immediately cut out. Patrick Oboya coming back into the team after a three-year absence was impressive in midfield and almost always beat his markers to the ball.

The best chance of the first half fell on Kimani in the 25th minute and he should have put away Situma’s crisp cross, which he instead headed wide.

The visitors were always dangerous in set-pieces and the fans held their breath every time such opportunities went their way. Two minutes after Kimani had failed to put away the header, Joseph Kamwendo threatened the Kenyan defence with a free-kick from the edge of the box.

Then Boniface Oluoch, arguably the man of the match, was called to make a double save with nine minutes to go. First, he went down to block a Russel Mwafulirwa shot. It fell on Joseph Kamwendo, who headed it straight at the Kenyan goalkeeper and he did well to hold on to it.

Blasting wide

Kenya ended the first half on a positive note with Oliech blasting wide after a one-two move with Jamal Mohammed.

Paul Were coming on for Oboya added pace into the Kenyan midfield, but the opponents defence stood firm.

Malawi had at least two clear chances towards the end of the game, but the Tusker goalkeeper denied them. Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri said his team was the better side in all departments and warned Kenya to expect to lose in the return match.

“My players may look young, but they are very brilliant. They were great in every way. Their performance today proves that we are ready for the World Cup,” he said.

Francis Kimanzi said the injection of new players in the team did not work out as he expected, but insisted there is an opportunity to progress further.