Harambee Stars U23 secured second place in Pool B of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA Cup) following a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe at Isaac Wolfson Stadium.

Kenya’s goals came from Gor Mahia duo Austine Odhiambo and Boniface Omala. Odhiambo’s impressive performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

Harambee stars MoTM’s

Odhiambo became the second Kenyan to receive this accolade after Paul Odhiambo won it in their opener against Zambia.

Emerging Stars will now wait for the results of other group matches to determine if they will join Comoros in the semi-finals as one of the best runners-up.

The first half ended goalless, but the second half saw a shift in momentum. In the 54th minute, Rooney Onyango found Austine Odhiambo, who put the ball in the back of the net to give Kenya the lead.

Benson Omala added to the tally in the 73rd minute, pouncing on a long ball from goalkeeper Byrne Omondi.

With this win, Kenya finished Group B with six points, tied with Comoros. However, Comoros topped the group on goal difference, advancing to the semi-finals as Group B winners.

In their second Group B match against Comoros on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Wolfson Stadium, Kenya faced a challenging game.

The match began with the Emerging Stars showing promise and creating several goal-scoring opportunities. However, Comoros took the lead against the run of play with a penalty in the 34th minute.

Paul Ochuoga, who conceded the penalty, was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, reducing Kenya to ten men. Comoros held their one-goal advantage as the first half ended. Early in the second half, they capitalized on their numerical superiority and scored their second and final goal of the match.

In a bid to change the game’s momentum, attacking players Stanley Wilson, Alfred Tanui, and Aldrine Kibet were introduced, signaling a clear intent to secure a positive result.

Emerging Stars continued to push for a goal and came close when Chris Erambo’s attempt hit the post. Despite their valiant efforts, the team could not mount a successful comeback.

Kenya will now wait for the outcomes of other group matches to see if they can advance to the semi-finals as one of the best runners-up.

Harambee Stars Starting XI

23.Byrne Omondi, 15.Amos Wanjala, 2.Sylvester Owino, 5.Alphonce Omija, 3.Geoffrey Onyango, 20.Chrispine Erambo, 19.Kayci Odhiambo, 10.Austine Odhiambo, 16.Ronney Onyango, 7.Hassan Beja, 22.Benson Ochieng

Substitutes

1.Dolph Owino, 18.Ibrahim Wanzala, 6.Jeremy Bisau, 11.Aldrine Kibet, 12.William Gitamu, 21.Alfred Tanui, 14.Patrick Otieno, 8.Stanley Wilson, 9.Moses Shumah, 17.John Ochieng, 13.Elly Owande