Harambee Stars face Zimbabwe in four-nations final

• Harambee Stars beat Malawi 4-0 in the opening match
• Zimbabwe came from 2-0 down to beat Zambia on penalties
• The final will be played at the Bingu Stadium

National football team Harambee Stars will take on Zimbabwe in the final of the four-nations invitational tournament in Malawi on Tuesday night. Stars booked a place in the final after a 4-0 whitewash of the hosts in their opening match and will look to make it two wins in two matches when they face Zimbabwe’s Warriors.

The Warriors made it to the final after coming from 2-0 down to beat Zambia 6-5 on post-match penalties following a 2-2 draw in regular time.

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat expects a tough match against the Southern Africans, but reckons his side has shown their capabilities and will be ready to do their best when they play.

He says though, the fact that Zimbabwe came from two goals down to draw, shows they are a tough opponent.

“When you win 4-0, you tend to be more relaxed going into a game with a team that came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 and win a match. They always have more motivation and more belief,” said the tactician.

He added; “Every match has its own story. We are focused on playing a very good team. We know we are not only facing a team with quality players, but also a team that has big character and it will be a tough match for us.”

Harambee Stars building up for June

Harambee Stars players line up before their match against Malawi. PHOTO/FKF

The tactician is using the tournament to build up a formidable side against back to back 2026 World Cup qualifiers at home against African champions Ivory Coast and Burundi.

“We are looking at two things; the tactical development of the teamand the second part is which players I can use in June. We want to see how we react if key players are missing. If we can solve this I believe we will have good results in June,” Firat further said.

The coach handed debuts to several players in the opening match against Malawi, Tusker’s Chris Erambo starting in midfield while AFC Leopards’ Vincent Mahiga who was a late call up after the expulsion of Aboud Omar, started on the left side of defense.

In the game against Malawi, captain Michael Olunga proved his erstwhile critics wrong with a quick brace, with Ayub Timbe and the recalled John Avire adding one each in the big win for the team.

Olunga found the back of the net after just 30 seconds when he connected a well weighted cross from Daniel Anyembe with his weaker left foot. The goal had been the product of some good build up play, with Richard Odada setting up Anyembe on the right, before the Denmark based defender slashed in a low cross.

Olunga complete his brace

Ayub Timbe in action for Harambee Stars against Malawi. PHOTO/FKF

Olunga completed his brace in the fourth minute of the game, converting from the penalty spot after Rooney Onyango was fouled inside the box.

Going 2-0 up after merely five minutes was the perfect start for Kenya’s Harambee Stars and they played with more confidence from then on.

Malawi however had some several chances at goal with keeper Patrick Matasi making several vital saves. Lanjesi Nkhoma was Malawi’s most dangerous player as he had several attemps. First, he forced Matasi to a full stretched save from a long range shot.

Nine minutes to the break, he had a well taken effort on the volley slice inches wide.

In the second half, Malawi stepped up their efforts and they were handed a way back in the 67^th minute from the penalty spot, but Matasi made a brilliant save.

For the missed chances, Malawi were punished late on when Harambee Stars scored twice. Timbe made it 3-0 in the 82^nd minute when he picked up the ball the left to shoot low, after Odada’s initial attempt was blocked.

Avire then completed the job for Firat’s men in added time, when he struck a brilliant shot from distance, a little deflection taking it way beyond the keeper.