CECAFA: Harambee Stars Stage Mighty Comeback To Beat Stubborn Sudan

NAIROBI, Kenya- Holders Kenya continued their winning start to the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup on Tuesday afternoon with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sudan at the Lugogo Complex in Kampala, Uganda.

The second win in as many matches means that Harambee Stars have qualified for the semis of the regional tournament that they won in 2017 as the hosts.

Harambee Stars opened their title defence with a 1-0 victory against Tanzania on Sunday, after which head coach Francis Kimanzi was slapped with a two-match touchline ban for inciting his players. 

Bandari FC's Abdallah Hassan was the scorer of the lone goal on Sunday and he came off the bench to equalise for the Kenyans after Muhammad Namir had put Sudan ahead on the half hour mark. 

Ulinzi Stars FC forward Oscar Wamalwa had the last say with a great debut goal in the 76th minute to guarantee all three points for Stars, who are at the top of Group B with six points from two matches. 

Wamalwa was making only his second appearance for the national team and was joined up front by Moses Mudavadi to lead the Kenyan attack.

Gor Mahia FC's Joash Onyango captained the energetic Kenyan side and was joined in the heart of defence by Kariobangi Sharks defender Samuel Olwande and Mathare's Johnstone Omurwa, who both played the entire game in the opening fixture. 

The last group game for Harambee Stars is a fixture against Zanzibar, with the result meaning nothing as the Kenyans are guaranteed top spot in the tough group. 

Coach Kimanzi and his assistant Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno will also not be on the touchline for the last group game, as they serve the ban handed to them by the CECAFA committee.