Kenya’s Harambee Stars picked up a second consecutive draw in the qualification matches for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup after playing to a 1-1 dtalemate with Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Stade de Kigali on Sunday.
Harambee Stars had started off the qualifiers with a 0-0 dour draw against Uganda Cranes in Nairobi on Thursday and despite breaking the scoring barrier, couldn’t go over the line with victory away from home.
Michael Olunga had opened the scoring for Kenya in the ninth minute but Abdul Rwatubyaye drew parity for the host nation in the 21st minute.
Olunga broke the deadlock with a well rifled volley after the Rwandese defense failed to completely clear away a pale effort from Masud Juma.
However, the drew level in the most fortunate of circumstances. Jacques Tuyisenge’s header from a Haruna Niyonzima cross hit Rwayibyaye’s back and the ball shifted direction, catching keeper Ian Otieno off his line.
After that, there weren’t many scoring chances but Stars had half an opportunity when Juma ran off on the left before cutting back a cross in. However, Eric Johannah slipped as he tried to adjust his body to take a shot from the edge of the six-yard box.
In the second half, Stars started brightly and just a minute in, Lawrence Juma was clipped at the edge of the box for a freekick. Michael Olunga stepped up and curled a beautiful ball beyond the wall, but Mvuyekure, who plays his club football in Kenya with Tusker FC, made a brilliant one handed save, smothering the ball behind for a corner.
Olunga had an even better chance in the 57th minute when he beautifully skipped past two markers to break into the box. However, he failed to hit the target with only the keeper to beat from the edge of the six yard box.
Kenya vs Rwanda. PHOTO/Ferwafa
He had another chance three minutes later when his run on the backpost was cited by a cross from Daniel Sakari, but his connection bounced over the bar.
In the 65th minute, former Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere who had come on as an early sub in the first half had a chance for Rwanda with a volley on the half-turn off a throw-in, but it went just wide.
With the clock ticking and a goal desperately needed, Kenya made another chance with Boniface Muchiri coming on for Johannah. The Tusker FC forward had a chance to score six minutes from time off a counter, but he was clipped from behind by Rwanda skipper Haruna Niyonzima.
From the resultant setpiece, Muchiri curled his effort wide.
Stars piled the pressure and brought in Henry Meja, in a bid to double the efforts in attack. Just minutes after coming on, the Sweden bound striker teed up his immediate former teammate at Tusker Muchiri on goal, but the latter’s shot went straight to the keeper though the flag was up for offside.
Kenya now prepares to host Mali in match day three next month.
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