Harambee Stars drew 2-2 with Russia in an international friendly played on Monday at the Titanic Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey.
Russia’s Aleksandr Sobolev notched a goal for Russia in the 8th minute, giving his team an early lead.
The game’s dynamics took an unexpected turn in the 13th minute, with Harambee Stars goalkeeper Byrne Omondi sustaining an injury that saw Coach Firat bring in second goalkeeper Patrick Matasi.
Three minutes after the change of the Star’s custodian, Anthony Akumu masterfully levelled the scores. Masud Juma added the second goal for Kenya in the 36th minute, ensuring the Harambee Stars held a 2-1 advantage at halftime.
After the break, both teams relentlessly pressed to break past each other’s defences; however, in the 89th minute, Russia’s Ivan Oblyakov found the back of the net, sealing the score at 2-2.
Coach Engin Firat, reflecting on the game, lauded the team for a good performance against a European nation.
“It’s the first time Kenya gets to experience a European team, and against a big footballing country, it is very tough to play against these kinds of teams, but the boys played very well,” said Firat after the match.
This match was part of the World Cup and AFCON qualifier matches, and this increased confidence in the team’s ability to compete against other big footballing nations.
“We are on a good way to compete with other big teams, and I hope we can take all these on our way to the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers,” added coach Firat.
The Harambee Stars now shift their focus to the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled to commence in November 2023. They are pooled in Group F against Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and the Seychelles.
The starting 11 team players for Kenya included Byrne Odhiambo (GK), Amos Nondi, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Erick Ouma, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Rooney Onyango, Masud Juma, and Michael Olunga.
The substitute bench included Patrick Matasi, Brian Bwire, Brian Mandela, Collins Sichenje, Daniel Sakari, Vincent Harper, Alpha Onyango, Ayub Timbe, Ovella Ochieng, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso, and Moses Shummah.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
