Fiery Kenya Keep AFCON Hopes Alive With Ethiopia Victory

NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya men’s national football team, Harambee Stars, put on an impeccable performance to thrash Ethiopia 3-0 in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier return leg at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Kenya were the fortunate ones this time round to have the home advantage and the backing of a jam-packed Kasarani Stadium as the fans came out in large numbers to show their support for the Harambee Stars, who were in the mood from the onset.

The important win improves Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the finals, which will be held in Cameroon from June 7-30 next year, as they sit atop of Group F with seven points.

Ethiopia sit in second with four points, while the Black Stars of Ghana have three as a decision is yet to be made regarding the points from the games against suspended Sierra Leone who are at the bottom of the table.

Two beautiful first half goals from Michael Olunga and Eric Johanna put Kenya on their way and a second half penalty by captain Victor Wanyama put the icing on the cake for the Kenyans.

In the 23rd minute, Eric Johanna picked up the ball from a poor clearance by the Ethiopian defence and fed Olunga on the left and the Kashima Raysol FC striker sent a curling shot into the back of the net.

The majority of the 60,000-plus supporters in the iconic stadium erupted as Kenya had one foot into the 2019 AFCON finals, something they have not been able to achieve for the past 14 years.

Kenya did not take their foot off the gas as four minutes later, Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma sent in a teasing cross that fell for Johanna who smashed a left-footed half volley past the Ethiopian custodian.

The noise in the stadium seemed to put to shame the levels at the Bahir Dar International Stadium four days ago as Kenya had a two-goal advantage early in the first half.

In the 38th, the referee reached into his pocket for the first time as Aboud Omar and Ethiopia captain Getaneh Kebede, were both shown yellow cards after an unnecessary tussle.

A minute later, Marcelo took off on one of his full speed runs down the wing and Antenne Tesfaye committed a professional foul, bringing him down and also receiving a yellow card for the offence.

Wanyama penalty

The referee blew for half time with the Kenyans two goals for the good, much to the appreciation of the thousands of fans in attendance.

Olunga began the second half just as he had left the first, with a 25-yard strike, following a pass from Gor Mahia’s Francis Kahata but Ethiopian custodian Samson Asefa was equal to the task.

In the 52nd, Johanna called on Asefa to make another good save when he whipped in a fantastic free kick into the danger area but the 29-year old custodian punched it to safety.

Johanna continued to prove too much for the Antelopes defence as he did extremely well to skip past a defender in the box, prompting him to bring the forward down with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.

Kenya’s captain Victor Wanyama stepped up to send Asefa the wrong way to give the home side an unassailable 3-0 lead.

There was a bit of concern for the Kenyans as the Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder went down in the 70th as he seemed to be holding on to his thigh, though he came back on after a slight delay in the game.

French coach Sebastian Migne still had not made a change in the game until two minutes later when he opted to take off the captain to be replaced by Johanna Omollo.

Spain-based Ismail Athuman Gonzales came on for Eric Johanna in the 77th, after the latter also seemed to suffer a slight strain to his left leg.

The substitute Gonzales did very well to steal the ball and set up Dennis Odhiambo on the edge of the area in the 86th but the latter lashed at it, sending it agonizingly over the bar.

Veteran striker Allan Wanga came on in place of goal-scorer Michael Olunga in the 90th minute as Migne seemed to be running down the clock.

The referee blew for full-time to mark the end of a very scintillating performance by Kenya who will next face Ghana in their final qualifier early next year.