Harambee Stars of Kenya gave a good performance on Friday afternoon as they battled to a 2-1 victory over Chipolopolo of Zambia in an international friendly played at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Cliff Nyakeya, who turns for Egyptian Premier League side Al Masr, forced an own goal off Tande Mwape before scoring a spectacular volley ten minutes before the end of the first stanza.
Zambia piled pressure after the break with substitute Emmanuel Chabula driving home a powerful header past Kenya’s goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
Chipolopolo should have opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute but Fashion Sakala managed to blast over from 12-yards out, after being teed up by Klings Kangwa.
Kenya’s first chance of the match arrived in the 17th minute, as Masu Juma swung in a corner kick for Eric Johanna, but the defender headed wide of the upright.
The Francis Kimanzi’s charges were caught napping a couple of moments later as Kelvin Kapumbu forced Ian Otieno to a low save with a snap-shot from the far side.
It was Harambee Stars who drew the first blood when Chipolopolo defender Tande Mwape deflected the ball into his net in an attempt to clear Nyakeya’s innocent cross from the right.
Zambia chased the equalizer and Sakala squandered another opportunity as the striker failed to steer his header on target from six-yards out.
Kenya added their second ten minutes before the break after a defensive blunder from Zacharia Chilongosi which allowed Nyakeya to drive into the box, before firing into the top corner.
Chipolopolo threatened shortly after the halftime break as Sakala glancing header sailed just over the crossbar after Brian Mandela failed to clear.
The hosts squandered a golden chance after 62 minutes when Antony Akumu picked out Timothy Otieno at the near post, however, the forward failed direct his effort on target.
Zambia began charging at the defence with pace through the middle, but Joash Onyango’s towering presence at the back absorbed their every attacking move.
The Harambee Stars regained momentum and had the chance to go further ahead through Nyakeya, who fired wide of the near post with Mwange in no man’s land.
Emmanuel Chabula pulled one back for Chipolopolo in the 80th minute with a superb header after being picked up by Kapamba.
Kabaso Chongo thought he had scored an equalizer with a beautiful tap for Chipolopolo, but his goal was disallowed as he was offside.
How they lined up:
Kenya XI: Ian Otieno 1, Baraka Badi 3, Brian Mandela 22, Joash Onyango 4, David Owino, Antony Akum 20, Lawrence Juma 4, Kenneth Muguna 8, Eric Johanna 7, Cliff Nyakeya 10, Masud Juma 14
Subs: Timothy Odhiambo 18, Omurwa 21, Oduor 2, P.Otieno 3, Kahata 16, Abdallah 24, Mohamed 19, A.Otieno 17, Rupia 9, T.Otieno 13, Wamalwa 11
Zambia XI: Sebastian Mwange (GK) 1, Lubambo Musonda 11, Zacharia Chilongoshi 23, Tandi Mwape 2, Kabaso Chongo© 14, Benson Sakala 6, Kelvin Kapumbu 15, Edward Chilufya 22, Klings Kangwa 17, Evans Kangwa 8, Fashion Sakala 10
Subs: Lameck Siame 18, Jackson Kakunta 16, Kondwani Chiboni 4, Godfrey Ngwenya 13, Luka Banda 5, Dominic Chanda 12, Leonard Mulenga 9, Chaniza Zulu 19, Collins Sikombe 21, Gamphani Lungu 20, Emmanuel Chabula 3, Kelvin Kampamba 7
Photo Credit: Artstanding Digital Media
