By Frank Kamuntu
An inspired second-half performance by the Harambee Stars was not enough as they played out a 1-1 draw with visiting Uganda Cranes in an international friendly match played on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at the MISC Kasarani.
Stars were off-color in the first half and predictably went behind in the 23rd minute when Emmanuel Okwi slotted in from close range after a swift interchange of passes by the guests, eight minutes into the second half, Kenya found the equalizer through Muguna.
On the hour mark, Okwi’s free-kick hit the defensive wall before Mustafa Kizza free-kick. Kenya too created scoring chances but the Ugandan backline was equal to the task.
Midfielder Khalid Aucho picked a knock in the 65th minute that kept him limping for the rest of the game two minutes later, goalkeeper Charles Lukwago reacted quicker off the line to collect a through ball as Michael Ogada Olunga threatened.
Kizza’s cross from the left intended for Okwi was too fast in yet another Uganda Cranes attack, with 20 minutes to play, Aucho limped out for Muzamiru Mutyaba in Uganda’s change, Kyambadde released Okello on the far right but the latter was physically pushed away.
Luwagga Kizito registered a shot off target with a quarter an hour of action before Kizza blasted over from close range moments later Lukwago easily picked up Olunga’s header off Ayub Timbe’s cross on the left as the minutes trickled down, Muchiri was pulled out for Johanna with 10 minutes to play for team Kenya, Lwanga headed out Paul Willa cross from the right-wing in Uganda’s other chance.
Abuya was introduced for Muguna in Kenya’s final change before Bright Anukani came in for Allan Okello Okwi curled the ball wide from the left side of the field inside the goal in virtually Uganda Cranes’ final chance on the evening.
Harambee Stars Starting XI
18. Patrick Matasi, 17. Samuel Olwande, 3. Eric Ouma, 12. Mike Kibwage, 4. Joash Onyango, 13. Collins Agade, 6. Lawrence Juma, 15 Kenneth Muguna, 7. Ayub Timbe, 10. Eric Johanna, 14. Michael Olunga
Substitutes
1. Faruk Shikalo, 5. Johnstone Omurwa, 11. Brian Otieno, 19. Cliffton Miheso, 16. Francis Kahata, 21. Duke Abuya, 8. Whyvonne Isuza, 20. Cliff Nyakeya, 22. Boniface Muchiri, 9. Enosh Ochieng
Uganda Cranes Starting XI
18. Charles Lukwago, 15. Willa Paul, 12. Mustafa Kizza, 17. Revita John, 3. Timothy Awany, 8, Khalid Aucho, 6. Taddeo Lwanga, 20. Allan Okello, 10. Luwagga Kizito, 7. Emmanuel Okwi, 2. Allan Kyambadde
Substitutes
19. Joel Mutakubwa, 4. Mujuzi Mustafa, 16. Halid Lwaliwa, 5. Muzamir Mutyaba, 14. Bright Anukani, 9. Fahad Aziz Bayo, 11. Allan Kayiwa
The Cranes captain on the day Emmanuel Arnold Okwi scored the opener in the 21st minute off William Luwagga Kizito’s well-set ball from the left.
Before Okwi’s goal, Uganda Cranes had a chance to open the scores but Allan Kyambadde was frustrated by goalkeeper Patrick Matasi from an acute angle.
With 20 minutes to play, Aucho limped out for Muzamiru Mutyaba in Uganda’s change Kyambadde released Okello on the far right but the latter was physically pushed away, Luwagga Kizito registered a shot off target with a quarter an hour of action before Kizza blasted over from close range moments later.
Lukwago easily picked up Olunga’s header off Ayub Timbe’s cross on the left as the minutes trickled down, Muchiri was pulled out for Johanna with 10 minutes to play for team Kenya.
Lwanga headed out Paul Willa cross from the right-wing in Uganda’s other chance.
Abuya was introduced for Muguna in Kenya’s final change before Bright Anukani came in for Allan Okello.
Okwi curled the ball wide from the left side of the field inside the goal in virtually Uganda Cranes’ final chance on the evening.
