Kenya edges Rwanda to end 2022 WC qualifiers on a high

Harambee Stars concluded their botched 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign on a high, beating Rwanda 2-1, in what was a real show of character for in the backdrop of the dark cloud of wrangles hanging over Kenya’s football space.

Al Duhail striker Michael Olunga, the captain, led from the front and needed only three minutes to net the opener, before Red Star Belgrade’s Richard Odada added the second at the quarter-hour mark. Olivier Niyonzima netted Rwanda’s consolation.

As if the rumbles from the dark cloud stretching from the Ministry of Sports headquarters to Kandanda House, to Gigiri Police cells and to Milimani Law Courts were motivating the men in red to fight more, Stars defended their early goals to the end ensuring to sign off on a high.

Just minutes before the match at the Nyayo National Stadium – Nairobi, dethroned Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa had just been released on cash bail after spending the weekend in police custody, following the audit and disbandment of the federation.

The preparations for the match were diluted by uncertainty occasioned by the wrangles, with push and pull between the ousted officials and the new team which is yet to settle after being appointed three days to the match.

In fact, the tally would have been bigger, but Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari did a commendable job to keep out Olunga’s three close attempts with the first 30 minutes.

Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma was on fire, causing trouble to the Rwandese on left wing all the time he found space, delivering sumptuous crosses for Olunga and Abadalla Hassan in the area.

The Bandari FC attacker was not so effective in finishing especially on aerial balls.

Olunga’s opener came from Abdalla’s calmly controlled header, after a deflected ball from the former while attempting to connect Ouma’s cross.  Olunga's powerful shot from a close range, slid under the crossbar and to the net, Olunga's second goal for the national team in two matches.

Ouma was the architect of the second goal, having dashed into the box and with only Ntwire to beat, the custodian brought him down and the referee pointed to the spot.

Odada stepped forward for the task and sent the Ntwire the wrong way, to double Kenya’s advantage.

Rwanda were forced to withdraw Keddy Nsanzimfura for Earnest Sugira, in a bid to add creativity their shaky midfield which really paid as Rwanda significantly calmed down the tempo of game, reducing Stars’ opportunities upfront.

Upon resumption, head coach Engin Firat who was doing his last match at least within his two-month contract, surprisingly withdrew the hardworking Ouma for Gor Mahia forward Samuel Onyango.

But it is Rwanda who showed more zeal in the early stages of the second stanza, with Sugira and Olivier Niyonzima keeping goalkeeper James Saruni quite busy, on his competitive match debut for Kenya.

At the full hour mark Firat introduced Sweden based Anthony Wambani in the place of Kaizer Chiefs defensive midfielder Anthony Akumu, but still Stars struggled to take charge as it was in the opening half as Rwanda kept on knocking.

It finally paid off in the 66th minute, when Niyonzima converted a well floated free-kick past Saruni, the duo of Kenyan centre-backs Joseph Okumu and Davids ‘Cheche’ Ochieng unable to mark the swift attacker.

Sugira was in prime position to level three minutes later, but was adjudged to be in an offside position just before pulling the trigger, having clearly lost his marker on the goalmouth.

With only 10 minutes to go, Firat was bold enough to substitute Onyango who he had thrown into the fray at the beginning of second half, bringing on City Stars youthful attacker Timothy Ouma while resting Odada for Police FC man Duke Abuya.

There was to be no more breakthrough for either sides, Kenya finishing the campaign with five points behind Mali and Uganda who amassed 16 and nine respectively.

Mali thus advanced to the final round of qualifiers to the Qatar fiesta, while Rwanda consoled themselves with the single point the got in their 1-1 draw against Kenya at home in Kigali, losing the rest of the fixtures.