Harambee Stars hold hosts Tanzania in friendly

By Gilbert Wandera and Agencies

McDonald Mariga scored for Kenya in the 12th minute but it was not enough to help them overcome a stubborn Taifa Stars at Uhuru Stadium.

Mariga’s free-kick was cancelled out in the 55th minute by Mrisho Ngasha for both teams to draw 1-1 in this match played on the Fifa friendly day yesterday in Tanzania.

It was the first time that Mariga played for Stars since joining Inter Milan in February.

Both teams were using the match to gauge their strength ahead of the up-coming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Twahir Muhiddin’s charges are expected back today. Next Wednesday, they play another international build-up match against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

Meanwhile, Frenchman Gerard Gili has turned down the chance to become the next coach of the Ivory Coast.

Elephants Hit Italy

Negotiations broke down because Gili wanted to bring his own coaching team, while the Ivorian Federation wanted him to build a team with local coaches.

Interim coach Francois Zahoui who oversaw the Elephant’s 1-0 victory over Italy, is not in the running for the post either.

Kolo Toure scored the only goal of the game with a second-half header.

Zahoui, former Elephants midfielder watched his side defeat an experimental Italian side in his first game in charge and at the end of the game ruled himself out of the job on a permanent basis.

"It is important to remember that I am in this position only until the federation decides what to do," Zahoui said after Tuesday’s game.

"I work for the youth team and I am only in charge for this international game," he stated.

Zahoui was put in charge after Sven-Goran Eriksson and the Ivorian FA failed to reach an agreement of the Swede to continue after the World Cup.

Influential players

The Ivory Coast Football Federation, want to appoint a a foreign coach who will command the respect of some it’s influential players like Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.

Zahoui for his part, said the team had done him proud in the match against Italy, dominating the game held at the London home ground of Premier League club West Ham for long periods, although Italy defender Marco Motta hit the post.

"I am very proud to have beaten this Italy team. It was a very strong side and it was important for us to win," Zahoui added.

Zahoui was missing Didier Drogba as the Chelsea striker has yet to fully recover from a groin operation, but forwards Salomon Kalou, Gervinho and Seydou Doumbia gave a new-look Italian backline no end of problems.