Harambee Stars hold hosts Malawi in World Cup qualifier

By Gilbert Wandera

Blantyre, Malawi: Kenya picked their second draw in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers after restricting Malawi to a 2-2 tie during Wednesday’s match played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Though Harambee Stars remain rooted at the bottom of group ‘F’ with three points after the tie, coach Adel Amrouche will be a proud man as the result has given him a positive platform to begin a process of rebuilding his squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The Kenyans played with a lot of spirit in both halves of the match and were not intimidated by the huge home crowd.

Robin Ngalade scored first for the hosts in the 46th minute before Jamal Mohammed equalised for Kenya just six minutes later.

Robert Ngambi then stretched the lead for the home side in the 80th minute. In full time, Malawian defender Chimango Kayira scored into his own goal to earn the Kenyan side their second point away.

Harambee Stars were playing mostly for pride and were therefore free of pressure to win. Instead they opted to settle in the match quickly and dominated huge chunks of the first half. 

Despite coach Amrouche opting to give new players a chance to showcase their talent, they did not disappoint and grew in confidence as the minutes ticked.

It was however Malawi who had the first chance of the match when Harry Nyirenda missed narrowly from a header after he had been put through by Joseph Kamwendo from a cross.

Malawi then opted to make a double substitution to neutralize the Kenyan attack. They brought in Gabadhini Mhango and Julius Kayira for John Banda and Dave Banda and it put a little bit pressure on the Kenyan defense going into the first half break.

On resumption, it was clear that the double substitution by Malawi was working as Robert Ngalade pulled away to beat Duncan Ochieng’ in goal with a powerful shot one minute into the second half.

But the goal did not dampen the spirits of the Kenyan side who with nothing to lose opened up and attacked with guns blazing.

It was always a question of when they would equalise with impressive play in the midfield. Six minutes after Malawi had scored, Jamal Mohammed has his name on the score sheet after a one two move by Tusker midfielder Peter Opiyo.

The goal sent the packed Kamuzu Stadium into total silence and it took the Flames time to come back into the match but when they did they were lethal upfront going ahead again with ten minutes to spare.

Just like with the first goal, Malawi’s second goal inspired Stars once again as they launched attacks almost immediately. It was during such attacks that defender Chimango Kayira scored into his own net in full time leaving no moment for the home-side to stretch their lead once again.

Football Kenya Federation chairman Sam Nyamweya congratulated Harambee Stars for their outstanding performance away.