Nairobi,Kenya: Kenya ended their 2014 World Cup qualifier campaign by beating Namibia 1-0 in Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.
Harambee Stars
Though the victory was inconsequential, the win was greeted by huge celebrations being the only one of this campaign.
David ‘Calabar’ Owino scored the only goal of the match after six minutes to help Stars finish ahead ofNamibia in Group ‘F’ as they move to third position on six points.
Owino slotted the goal home with a low shot connecting to a Francis Kahata corner kick to send the crowd into wild celebrations.
Kenyan goalkeeper Duncun Ochieng made the first save of the match in the 11th minute as the visitors made their way into the game. Then in the 18th minute Brian Mandela blocked a Sadney Urikhob effort.Kenyan striker Dennis Oliech was then brought down near the Namibian defence box and the resultant free kick went wide.
In the middle of the pack, Jamal Mohammed was having a field day, literally enjoying great possession and his deft passes always found their intended recipients.
Just after the half hour mark, Edwin Lavatsa was rested for Allan Wanga in a move that added punch upfront and the new man created two chances but he himself missed connecting with a header.
Stars dominated huge parts of the second half with Allan Wanga hitting the wood work once and Oliech finding himself in goal scoring positions at least on three occasions.
Kenyan captain Victor Wanyama said afterwards the team needs to build on the win ahead of the 2015Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“We were a bit tensed when the match started because of the expectation that was on our shoulders. But I’m happy that the boys settled and the most important thing was for us was to get the victory. We should now build on it for the future by playing more build up matches,” he said.
Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche hailed his boys for keeping their head and ensuring they picked all three points at home.
“We did it for our fans and I’m glad that at last they can have something to celebrate. But the hard work begins now as we prepare a team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” he said.
By winning against Namibia, Harambee Stars were able to inflict revenge on a team that beat them 1-0 last year in Windhoek. Before this result, Stars had drawn 1-1 and lost 1-0 to Nigeria, drew 2-2 and 0-0 with Malawi.
Nigeria finished the qualifiers on top of the Group and will play in the final play-offs for a ticket to Brazil 2014.
By Gilbert Wandera, The Standard
