Rising Stars humble Zimbabwe to move closer to tournament title

The Kenyan U20 national football team, Rising Stars will need at least a draw of any kind when they lock horns with Malawi on Sunday to clinch the Four Nations tournament.

This is after the Kenyan team humbled Zimbabwe 3-1 in the opening match held at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi on Friday afternoon.

The resounding win over Zimbabwe gives Kenya an edge in the final game of the tournament against the host as a draw will be enough to bring the title to Nairobi.

Malawi beat Zimbabwe who are already out of contention 3-2 in the first game of the tournament a day ago.

The tournament had four teams initially but Zambia withdrew under unclear circumstances.

Against Zimbabwe, Migori Youth winger Elly Owande was the toast of the day as he found the back of the net twice.

Owande who is among the players who have graduated from the U18 team that finished second in the CECAFA tournament held in December last year in Kisumu opened the scoring floor in the seventh minute after he was teed up by Hassan Beja.

EXCLUSIVE: Kenya U20 coach Salim Babu admits delay in passport renewal

Owande had the ball in the net in the 23rd minute moments after what would have been his second was flagged for offside.

Beja added the third goal in the second half with the Sweden-based Timothy Ouma being the provider.

Zimbabwe got the consolation goal in the Mapuwa Denzel after being set up well by Morris Musamba in the 80th minute.

Moses Shumah's generous gesture comes to aid of patients at Kakamega Referral Hospital

Reacting to the win, coach Anthony Akhulia termed the game tough despite the easy win.

"It was a very difficult game, but I congratulate the boys because we played a team that we had not watched before, and the important thing is we won. The next game will not be easy either because we are playing the hosts," said the Bidco United gaffer.

Akhulia was standing in for Salim Babu who couldn’t travel after failing to secure crucial travel documents.