Ten-Man Harambee Stars Stun Ghana To Revive 2019 AFCON Hopes

NAIROBI, Kenya- Ten-man Harambee Stars kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after a dogged display saw them stun Ghana 1-0 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.

An own goal by Nicholas Opoku was the Black Stars undoing following a flowing attacking move initiated by Japan-based striker Michael Olunga who forced the Ghana defender into the error.

The win put Kenya at the summit of Group F alongside Ghana but trailing on goal difference pending the result between Ethiopia and Sierra Leone in Addis Ababa with both level on three points.

Joash Onyango was given his marching orders by the referee after a reckless challenge on Thomas Partey just after the hour mark to raise the temperatures among the home fans but their team held on for a famous victory over the 2010 World Cup semi finalists and three time African champions.

It was a dream debut for Frenchman Sebastian Migne who took charge of Stars for the first time in a competitive match since being named national head coach in May.

Kenya got off to a promising start when former SportsPesa Premier League (SPL) side Kariobangi Sharks FC midfielder Ovella Ochieng got first shot on target in the fifth minute but Ghana custodian Richard Ofori was equal to the task.

Waris Majeed got the first attempt for Ghana in the 13th when he latched onto a through ball from Christian Atsu but his shot went harmlessly wide.

The game continued in electric fashion as both sides enjoyed an equal share of possession.

Atletico Madrid FC midfielder Partey was next with an attempt on goal but Stars keeper Patrick Matasi gathered easily.

Two minutes later, Eric Johanna controlled the ball well on the right wing and sent a teasing cross into the box but Olunga was unable to connect.

The game was halted in the 26th when SPL champions Gor Mahia FC defender Philemon Otieno went down after a tackle.

Soon after the game resumed, Atsu was at it again when he unleashed a left footed shot from the edge of the penalty area which Matasi held on to.

Agonisingly over

Olunga had a chance to put Kenya ahead in the 34th when he turned Daniel Orare outside the penalty area but his shot flew agonisingly over the bar.

A minute later Johanna found Ochieng on the right flank and the winger did well to skip past Orare but the resulting shot went way over the frame of the goal.

With five minutes left in the first half, Johanna got the crowd on their feet after a fancy first touch that led to him sending a right footed shot that the Ghana custodian was equal to.

Less than a minute after, Johanna turned provider when he found Olunga with a right-footed cross into the danger area and the 2015 SPL Most Valuable Player Olunga was in, applying pressure that compelled the unfortunate Opoku to kick the ball into his own net sending Kasarani into a frenzy.

Stars continued to defend well and pick out a couple of good passes, until the referee blew for the halftime break with the score 1-0 to the home team.

Both teams made changes at the break with Edwin Gyasi being replaced by Raphael Dwamena for the Black Stars as experienced Jockins Atudo joined the fray in place of Philemon Otieno who seemed to have picked up an injury.

Seven minutes into the second half, Abuod Omar found Ochieng on the right flank with a beautiful pass that the latter brought down perfectly but his attempted pass to Olunga was intercepted.

Substitute Dwamena quickly got into the thick of things with a header that rose over the bar from a Ghanaian free kick in the 56th.

The Johanna and Olunga connection continued to cause problems for the visitors as a couple of good passes led to an opportunity that was blocked by a last inch tackle in the box.

Kenya were reduced to 10 men in the 61st when Onyango was given his marching orders by the referee after a reckless challenge on Partey.

Migne had to immediately change his tactics as he took off attacking midfielder Eric Johanna and brought on defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng.

Olunga went down injured with less than 10 minutes on the clock, after receiving treatment the game went on with the Kenyans desperately looking to hang onto the lead, which would be their first win in Group F.

Anthony Akumu replaced David Odhiambo in the 90th as the dream of a victory against Ghana started becoming more of a reality.

Stars will face Malawi on Tuesday in a friendly match at the same venue before back to back group matches against Ethiopia in October in a double header that could well define their quest of returning to the AFCON finals for the first time since Tunisia 2004.