AFCON2019: Olunga grabs a brace as Kenya sends Tanzania crashing

Michael Olunga grabbed a brace as Harambee Stars beat Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 3-2 at the 30 June Stadium in their second group match, in a game that Harambee Stars had done everything right but lead till the 80 minute.

Tanzania drew first blood in the sixth minute courtesy of Saimon Musuva. Mbwana Samatta raced down the left flank, unleashing a thunderous strike that was parried by Harambee Stars custodian Patrick Matasi, before Msuvaput the ball into an empty net, with Matasi down on the floor.

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Olunga leveled the scores in the 39 minute with a sumptuous overhead kick after Aishi Manula parried off Ayub Timbe’s effort from a set-piece.

Kenya’s equalizing celebrations were short-lived as Samatta restored Tanzania’s lead following a mix-up between Matasi and his defenders, smashing it between Matasi’s legs, into the net barely a minute after Olunga had scored.

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Tanzania almost grabbed a second goal in the 12 minute when Msuva picked up the ball on the right flank but was brought down by Joseph Okumu just on the edge of the box.

Harambee Stars almost got an equalizer in the 14 minute through Erick Ouma’s volley, but the Sweden-based auxiliary left back shot straight at Aishi Manula.

Chasing the game, Sebastien Migne was the first man to go back to the board, making a tactical substitution in the 32 minute, bringing in John Avire for Kahata to increase the team’s attacking options.

Ramadhan Kessy had the chance to double Tanzania’s lead in the 36 minute through a free kick after spotting Matasi off his line but the Ethiopian-based goalkeeper managed to track back and tip it off the crossbar for a corner.

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On resumption, Migne brought in Bernard Ochieng’ for ‘Calabar’, whose wing had been leaking for the entire first half. Emmanuel Amunike retaliated by bringing in Himid Mao for Mudathir Yahya.

Timbe produced some moment of brilliance, playing a short corner, then floating in a cross that was met by a dashing Omollo, hitting it with his should into the bottom left corner. 2-2.

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Olunga gave Harambee Stars the lead for the first time in the match in the 80 minute with his lowly driven shot into the bottom left corner after being set up by substitute Eric Johanna  through a counter attack, grabbing his second, and a fifth for the game.

Chasing the game for the first time, Taifa Stars mounted pressure on Harambee Stars but Migne’s charges managed to hold on to the narrow lead to the end.

Kenya will play Senegal in the last group stage match that will see the winner grab the other round of 16 ticket while Tanzania face off with Algeria who have already booked a spot in the knockout stage.

Kenya Starting XI:

18. Patrick Matasi, 15. David Owino, 3. Abud Omar, 2. Joseph Okumu, 5. Musa Mohamed, 12. Victor Wanyama, 8. Johanna Omollo, 11. Francis Kahata 7. Ayub Timbe, 13. Eric Ouma, 14. Michael Olunga

Substitutes
1. Faruk Shikalo, 23. John Oyemba, 4. Joash Onyango, 20. Philemon Otieno, 6. Bernard Ochieng, 21. Dennis Odhiambo, 17. Ismael Gonzalez, 10. Eric Johanna, 19. Ovella Ochieng, 16. Paul Were, 9. John Avire, 22. Masud Juma

Tanzania Starting XI:

18. Aishi Manula (GK), 2. Gadiel Michael, 6. David Mwantika, 5. Kelvin Yondani, 22. Ramadhan Kessy, 23. Mudathir Yahya, 12. Simon Msuva, 4. Erasto Nyoni, 17. Farid Mussa, 10. Mbwana Samatta, 11. Thomas Ulimwengu

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