Harambee Stars Pick Stunning Victory Against World Cup Hosts Qatar

Engin Firat’s decision to bring on Amos Nondi in the second half proved to be a masterstroke as the Armenian based utility player scored a stoppage time winning goal to hand Kenya a stunning 1-2 victory over 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in an international friendly match staged at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha on Thursday evening.

The game appeared to be headed for a 1-1 draw, but the former Gor Mahia man found himself in the right place in the 90+1st minute to tap in a Michael Olunga cross into an empty net as Kenya, who are in position 105 on the FIFA rankings beat the 59th ranked nation.

Kenya had taken the lead in the 20th minute through Joseph Okumu, who recently signed for French Ligue 1 side Reims, but only had the advantage for fourteen minutes as Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos got the equalizing goal on the 34th minute.

Nondi’s late heroics would then help Kenya come off with a win in the clash that was the first ever meet between the two sides.

 

First Half

After wasting two good opportunities, Kenya finally managed to make their momentum count on the 20th minute when French based Okumu rose highest to power in an inch perfect corner kick delivery by new Kenya Police signing Kenneth Muguna.

The goal coming as a reward for Kenya’s bright showing in the opening exchanges against the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts.

The lead however lasted just fourteen minutes as Al Haydos, from the penalty spot, picked the bottom left corner in restoring parity for his side after an enterprising Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, who plies his trade with Swedish side AIK, was adjudged to have brought down Yusuf Abdurisag in the area.

Only those two goals would come in the opening 45 minutes as the two teams went into the break level 1-1.

Second Half

Engin Firat brought on the fleet footed Ayub Timbe in place of Elvis Rupia but it was the hosts who came out for the second period looking a much better side as they tried to fashion chances early on.

However, Kenya’s resolute defending and their lack of precision in the final third ensured there was nothing doing as the two sides remained level.

On the 69th minute, a retreating Kenya almost found themselves trailing for the first time when captain Michael Olunga took a wild swipe of the ball back towards his goal only for the ball to come off the upright after having the beating of Bryne Odhiambo in goal.

Shortly after surviving the scare, Nondi replaced Masud Juma in the 70th minute with the change proving to be exactly what the doctor ordered.

In the first minute of the three added minutes, the player squeezed himself into the box and his decision ended up bearing fruit as Olunga's cross across the face of goal found him unmarked and with an empty net, leaving him with an easy tap in that handed Kenya the victory in Doha.