Kenya triumph 2-0 over South Sudan

By Ernest ndunda

KAMPALA; UGANDA: After losing 1-0 to rivals Uganda in their opening match last Saturday, Harambee Stars seemed to have recovered with a deserved 2-0 win over stubborn South Sudan in a Group B match of the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge at Namboole Stadium in Kampala, on Tuesday.

 Kenya need to convincingly beat Ethiopia when they clash in their last match on Friday to be sure of making it to the quarter-finals. Ethiopia were due to play Uganda in another match last night.

 Harambee Stars dominated last evening match played on slippery pitch following heavy rains, which pounded Kampala yesterday, but could not translate them into goals.

Stars should have won by a bigger margin. Paul Were, Mike Baraza, and Kevin Omondi wasted many chances in the first half.

 Stars efforts were finally awarded in the 14th minute when David Ochieng’ headed in Kevin Omondi’s corner for the much-needed goal.

 South Sudan’s custodian Juma Jenario did extra work, producing spectacular saves from Stars strikers. South Sudan gained confidence in the closing minutes of the first half where Kugbour Dak missed an equaliser after Ochieng’ held firmly his close range shot.

 In the second half, Stars relaxed, especially at the midfield, allowing South Sudan strikers to create dangerous attacks.

 Coach James Nandwa brought in late call-up Edwin Lavatsa for Anthony Njenga, Clifton Miheso for Paul Were and Enoch Agwanda for Mike Baraza.

 South Sudan, coached by Serbian Zoaran Djordjevic, lost 1-0 in their opening match to Ethiopia.

 Second half substitute Clifton Miheso silenced the drum-beating supporters of South Sudan when he blasted a left-footed shot into the net in the 72th minute for the second goal.

After the goal, the match became a Kenyan affair as the players swung the ball from one end to the other, but couldn’t translate the many opportunities.

Nandwa was happy despite the missed chances.

“We have three points in our basket and will go for another win on Friday against Ethiopia,” said Nandwa.

Line up. Kenya: Duncan Ochieng, Anthony Kimani (captain), Abdalllah Juma, Joakickins Atudo. David Owino, Kevin Omondi, David Ochieng, Mike Baraza, (Enoch Agwanda) Humphrey Mieno, Anthony Njenga (Edwin Lavatsa), Paul Were (Clifton Miheso).

South Sudan: Juma Jenario, Zacharia Nasio, Emmanuel Meskien, Mong Deng, William Silvestro (Martin Suliman), Leon Khamis (captain) (Justin Joseph), Kugbour Dak, Adnan Nani (James Kon), Thomas Ater, Martin Kamis.