Harambee Stars has managed to climb on top of their group after 0-0 draw against Ethiopia.
A match which was played in Addis Ababa had Kenya creating a lot of chances in the First half of the game having six shots on target.replaced suspended Gor Mahia defender Joash Onyango.
The coach made two changes from the squad that beat four times continental champions Ghana 1-0 on September 8 at the Kasarani stadium.
Captain Victor Wanyama , who missed the match to injury returned , taking yup the place of spain – based Ismael Gonzalez while defender Brian Mandela , who also returned .
The starting XI was : Patrick Matasi, (GK), Philemon Otieno, Musa Mohammed, Brian Mandela , Abud Omar, Victor Wanyama, Dennis Odhiambo, Eric Johanna, Ovella Ochieng’, Francis Kahata and Michael Olunga.
Ethiopia which was so much composed created few chances in the first half but dominating the field of play with a possession of 69% against 31% of the Harambee Stars.
Second half started on a high note with Ethiopia using a different form of play and still dominated the game. Kenya suffered an early injury with Abud Omar getting substituted over a slight injury.
The team made early changes bringing in Eric”Marcelo” Ouma in the place of Abud Omar.
Ethiopia, clad in their traditional yellow and green colours, started excellently, full of pace and aggressive intent evidenced with a first minute attempt from a corner kick.
Ethiopia kept the possession of the ball throughout the game in the second half showing their agency for a goal. Although the team created numerous chances , The Kenya team was compact at the back led by Musa Mohammed.
Matasi made a number of saves for Harambee stars in the second half for Harambee stars.
A draw, the 11th between the two sides in 43 meetings, takes Kenya’s points tally in the group to four after three rounds and they are now top of the pool.
The Walya Antelopes remain bottom without a point following Sierra Leone’s suspension by world football governing body, Fifa, hence forfeiting the 1-0 win on September 9.
Kenya hosts Ethiopia in the second leg on Sunday at Kasarani stadium with a win enough to propel the side to the Afcon finals after a 14-year hiatus, should Fifa fail to lift Sierra Leone’s suspension any time soon.
Francis Kahata fouled Dukele Dawa 25 yards away from the target on 15 minutes, but Gatoch Panom sent the resultant free kick inches wide.
Kenya, for a moment had a cautious approach sitting back to break on the counter.
In the 19th minute, Michael Olunga ran into the area onto Eric Johanna’s pass, unleashed a left foot shot that troubled Ethiopia custodian Samson Asefa, before his defence cleared their lines.
Ten minutes later, Olunga played in Johanna, whose curving shot veered off the target.
The hosts combined well inside Kenya’s penalty area, but Shemeles Bekele hit the side net before Michael Olunga opened Gambian referee Bakary Gassama’s book with a 36th minute yellow card.
Gor Mahia utility Philemon Otieno followed suit two minutes later and three minutes to the halftime break, Ethiopia’s Dukele Dawa was booked for a nasty challenge on Abud Omar.
Kenya coach Sebastian Migne was dealt with a blow on 54 minutes after Abud limped out forcing Sweden-based Erick “Marcelo” Ouma to replace him in the second change after the ineffective Eric Johanna was withdrawn for Ismael Gonzalez at restart.
The hosts, backed by a huge crowd, continued with their glorious hunt for the opener bossing the midfield with ease, while slowly making inroads in the Kenya defence.
Demte Beneyam forced Patrick Matasi to a save with a veracious shot from the right flank on 54 minutes and on 67 minutes, Shemeles Bekele beat the offside trap but was denied by the upright.
This draw means a lot on the Kenyan Side who only need to win at home to sail through to the Afcon 2019.