Birthday boy Michael Olunga scores hat-trick to gift Harambee Stars Four Nations title

The Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars bagged its first silverware on Tuesday evening 26 March 2024 after lifting the Four Nations title.

The Engin Firat-coached side produced a brilliant comeback to beat South African nation Zimbabwe 3-1 in the final of the tournament which was staged at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi.

Harambee Stars started the match slowly, falling behind in the third minute when Stade de Reims defender Joseph Okumu directed the ball into his own net.

Zimbabwe, who controlled the midfield, could have increased their lead with barely 10 minutes gone into the match, but Patrick Matasi reacted quickly to punch the ball out of the field and in the process conceded a corner kick.

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Kenya’s first opportunity came in the 12th minute when Ayub Timbe pounced on a loose ball but fired it narrowly wide to the relief of the charging Zimbabwean goalkeeper.

After waiting for over twenty minutes without seeing a reaction from his charges, Firat was forced to make a change, substituting Crispine Erambo with Kenya Police midfielder Kenneth Muguna in the 24th minute.

Muguna’s introduction changed the game completely, allowing Harambee Stars to control the midfield.

The constant pressure applied on Zimbabwe’s defense allowed Kenya to find an equalizer at the stroke of halftime thanks to a bullet header from captain fantastic Michael Olunga.

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The match was delayed for a while in the 53rd minute after players from each side started to confront each other.

Warriors coach Norman Mapeza was red-carded in the process and the situation got worse for them when Teenage Hadebe was red-carded after receiving a second yellow card for a rough challenge on a Kenyan player.

Zimbabwe’s misfortune made it possible for Harambee Stars to take a 2-1 lead with the goal coming courtesy of Olunga.

However, with the Kenyan boys in full control of the match, Richard Odada was given the matching orders in the 72nd minute after receiving a second caution.  

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Odada’s sending-off gave Zimbabwe the hope of getting an equalizer but luck was not on their side as Harambee Stars remained solid at the back.

As the Zimbabwean players were busy looking for an equalizer, Olunga put the game behind the reach of the Warriors,

The Al-Duhail forward completed his hat-trick with less than five minutes remaining to the end of regulation time with a lovely volley from outside the box which left the Zimbabwean shot-stopper watching helplessly.

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