Kenya soccer team Harambee Stars won their second match in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Ethiopian Walya Antelopes this evening at Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Stars moved close to booking a place continental extravaganza with a convincing 3-0 win over Ethiopia in round four of the qualifiers.
Michael Olunga netted first in the 23rd minute, sending the mammoth crowd at the filled stadium into a frenzy with his left foot curl that sailed into the far post after one two passes with Eric Johanna, who doubled the lead five minutes later.
Erick “Marcelo” Ouma, who replaced Ovella Ochieng’ in the single change from the team that drew 0-0 in Bahir Dar on Wednesday, curled a lovely cross into the path of Francis Kahata, whose header fell on Johanna, positioned outside the 18, to plant a right-footed shot into the far post.
Captain Victor Wanyama put the scores beyond the Walya Antelopes’ reach with a 64th minute penalty after Johanna had been tugged down by Ahmed Reshad.
Wanyama limped out on 71 minutes, as Belgium-based Johanna Omolo replaced him.
Victory for Kenya, their 15th in 44 meetings against the 1962 continental champions, stretches their lead on Group “F” to seven points, three ahead of second-placed Ethiopia, while four-time Africa champions Ghana are third on three points similar to suspended Sierra Leone.
Should Sierra Leone fail to comply with the Fifa conditions by the next round of fixtures mid next month, then they will be expunged from the qualifiers, hence sealing Stars’ return to the continental stage after a 14-year hiatus.