Harambee Stars hit by Equatorial Guinea ‘thunder’ ahead of crucial clash with former AFCON champions
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 14.11.25. | 20:23
The Kenyan boys shift focus to their next friendly match against the 2021 African champions, Senegal
Equatorial Guinea edged Harambee Stars 1-0 in what was the second meeting between the two sides at the Emirgan Sport Centre, Turkey
A first-half penalty by Jose Miranda proved decisive, giving the visitors a narrow victory over a determined Kenyan side.
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The match began at a measured pace, with both teams cautious and probing for openings.
Kenya threatened early, with Sylvester Owino rising to meet Duke Abuya’s delivery in the third minute, only for his header to be comfortably collected by Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Nestro Senra.
Minutes later, Ryan Ogam’s left-footed strike from Marvin Omondi’s cross sailed just wide, keeping the scores level.
Equatorial Guinea responded with their first significant chance through Miranda, who connected with Pablo Ganet’s clever cutback, forcing a corner after Michael Kibwage intervened.
In the 21st minute, Miranda again threatened, skipping past Rooney Onyango, only for his delicate effort to trickle wide of an open goal.
Kenya continued to create opportunities. Jonah Ayunga’s 25th-minute effort narrowly missed after being set up by Nabwire, while Santiago Eneme’s response for Guinea saw a precise combination with Pedro Obiang end in a tame finish.
Kevin Otiende and Boniface Muchiri also went close for Kenya in the first half, testing the visiting defense, but the breakthrough came just before halftime.
At the stroke of the 45th minute, Equatorial Guinea, who are nicknamed Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder) were awarded a penalty after Onyango fouled Miranda inside the six-yard box.
The Kalamata FC forward stepped up calmly, sending Omondi the wrong way to give the visitors a crucial halftime lead.
The second half opened at a higher tempo, with Harambee Stars pressing aggressively for an equalizer. Ogam had an early chance but failed to connect with Onyango’s whipped cross.
Guinea almost doubled their lead moments later as Ganet, set through by Lius Miguel Asue, saw his effort cleared off the line by Kibwage.
Miranda went close again with a curling volley that drifted just wide.
Coach Benni McCarthy introduced Austin Odhiambo and Ovella Ochieng in a tactical move twenty minutes from time, and the substitutions immediately injected energy.
Ochieng raced down the left flank, while Odhiambo curled a long-range effort just wide, keeping the pressure on Equatorial Guinea.
Seven minutes from time, Odhiambo squandered a golden opportunity after being set up perfectly by Onyango.
Guinea nearly sealed the win on the counter through Asue, only for Omondi to make a crucial save.
Despite a late flurry from Harambee Stars, the visitors held firm to claim a deserved 1-0 victory.
Harambee Stars will now shift focus to their next international friendly against a star-studded Senegal side, aiming to bounce back on Tuesday 18 November.
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