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Kenya's World Cup dreams evaporate after home loss to enterprising Mali
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 10.10.21. | 20:35
With two rounds left, Harambee Stars chances of topping the group are a distant illusion that can't be reached.
Harambee Stars hopes of a berth in the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup were quashed following the 1-0 loss to Mali in a Group E qualifier staged at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Ibrahim Kone who bagged a hat trick in the first leg scored the match winner in the second half as Mali marinated their lead at the summit of the log.
Following the now infamous Agadir Massacre, head coach Engin Firat effected three changes bringing in Brian Bwire for Ian Otieno, Duke Abuya was slotted in place of Lawrence Juma, Henry Meja made way for Boniface Muchiri while a tactical switch saw Abdalla Hassan introduced in place of Joash Onyango.
A spirited performance by the Stars but ultimately a game of missed chances. We created but did not finish.
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) October 10, 2021
Our youthful team will emerge stronger.
F.T
🇰🇪 0-1🇲🇱
🇲🇱 Ibrahim Kone#Tunaweza pic.twitter.com/9Zd7XS8XgA
Harambee Stars seeking to make amends for the heavy loss in the reverse fixture started the game on the front foot as Moussa Djenepo got into the referee's book early for a foul on Joseph Okumu as he attempted to close down the ball.
The first chance of the game arrived in the eighth minute when Michael Olunga who appeared to be playing a deeper role hoping to get more of the ball and drive in with the ball after being starved off service in the first leg laid the ball off to Nkana FC midfielder Abuya whose effort required a smart save from Bosso Ibrahim.
Olunga was again on the thick of things as he fed Boniface Muchiri who had acres of space to pick his spot but the Tusker FC midfielder opted for a first time shot that was parried away by Ibrahim in goal.
Harambee Stars Coach Engin Continues with his Impressive Streak of not Winning a Football Match.#KENYAVSMALI #HarambeeStars #NickMwendwaMustGo
— Economist Maingy (@EconomistMaingy) October 10, 2021
Harambee were peppering the Mali goal mouth but poor decision making and profligacy cost them with Hassan brilliantly getting past Charles Traore but just could not make up his mind on whether to shoot or pass with his decision to pass coming late as he was closed down by Mamadou Fofana.
After a muted first half, Mali sprung to life at the stroke of the half hour mark when Djenepo whipped in a dangerous freekick into the box that was headed by Ibrahim Kone which canoned off the upright which Kenneth Muguna scrambling to clear the ball but it lacked distance as Bwire returned to gathered the ball.
Firat's charges had a mirror start to the second half as Abud Omar got past he marker and played a pass across to the face of goal to Olunga whose shot could have been turned in Hassan on the far side but he was a bit too late.
FT | Harambee Stars 0-1 Mali
— Frank Orinde (@FrankOrinde) October 10, 2021
Agg: 0-6. This is just sad. We can’t continue like this, #NickMwendwaMustGo, he has proven enough times that we can’t perform well under his leadership, the standards have gone low, (National team, Leagues across the country etc).
Muchiri could have broken the dead lock from a free kick in the 51st minute that he won just outside the box but his low effort drew a superb safe from the keeper.
Mali who were sitting deep and soaking in the pressure and waiting for a chance finally broke the deadlock through Harambee's tormentor Ibrahim Kone who bagged a hat hat trick in the first leg as this time he brilliant turned to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.
Firat made a tactical shuffle as he deployed Hassan at right ball releasing Eric Ouma to the left wing as he switched with Muchiri.
In pursuit of goal, Firat threw in Henry Meja and Eric Kapaito for Duke Abuya and Boniface Muchiri.
Kenya pushed for an equalizer in the dying minutes of the game but failed to threaten much as Mali held on for the win.
