Kenya 2-1 Tanzania: Harambee Stars dribble into the right direction

Harambee Stars' Mike (right) Kibwage and Mkami Mao of Taifa Stars during a friendly match at Nyayo National stadium on Monday, March 15, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

This is the first time since 2018 that Kenya have won a back-to-back match, apart from Cecafa games.

Hassan Abdalla came off the bench to hand Harambee Stars a second straight victory following a 2-1 win over Tanzania in a friendly match held on Monday at the Nyayo Stadium.

The win was significant for coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mule who is using the three build up matches to test the fitness level of his players ahead of a must-win Afcon qualifier games against Egypt and Togo.

Mulee is yet to win a competitive match since he took over from Francis Kimanzi after being held by Comoros both home and away. He, however, beat South Sudan by a solitary goal lat Saturday, in the first of the three friendly matches.

A goal by Elvis Rupia over the weekend and Erick Kapaito's openers against Tanzania may bring some confidence on the coach who has to beat Egypt and Togo, if Kenya is to qualify for the next Afcon finals.

Kapaito the 2017 Kenyan Premier League Golden Boot winner scored his debut goal for the senior national team, a clear testament that he has fully shaken off the injury that restricted him out of action in the last two seasons.

While Kenya was not at their best with the match exposing the some weak joints that still needs to be tightened before Egypt's match on March 25, Mulee will have to make some tough choices in picking Michael Olunga's partner, upfront as the league's best score jostle for positions in the national team.

"I don't want to talk about the Egypt game, but I will give every player a chance to fight for his position at the national team," Mulee said in a post match interview.

Harambee Stars' Mike (right) Kibwage and Mkami Mao of Taifa Stars during a friendly match at Nyayo National stadium on Monday, March 15, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kipaito showed Rupia that he's still the best scorer in the country, this season with the first goal for the Stars. The two strikers are currently battling for the top scorers' title with Kapaito leading the chart with 15 goals, three more than Rupia of AFC Leopards.

It was a game of chances with Stars being denied by the post on three separate occasions, in the first half. Tanzania on the other hand benefited from a rebound, off the post, to level the scores after Kapaito  gave Kenya the lead in the 20th minute.

Kapaito showed early intent of shaking the net but he was unfortunate after his free-header lazily veered off the target with Taifa Stars keeper Juma Kaseja well beaten.

Kenya who were the better side in the first quarter, had Lawrence Juma was denied by a mean post in the 18.

Juma had received a beautiful cross from a marouding Kevin Kimani from the right, but his header bounced off the post. 

But Kapaito made amends just two minutes later with a thumping header, from a tight  angle as Kenya took the lead.

Kenneth Muguna thought he had scored Kenya's second, but his 34 headee was flagged down for an offside 

Tanzania Reuben Lyanga leveled the scores for Tanzania with a close header after James Seruni's failed to get lift his body off the ground in time. 

Lyanga's first effort rebounded off the post but he had the easiest job of heading in an empty net with Seruni beaten to the ground.

This is the first time since 2018 that Harambee Stars have won a back to back match outside Cecafa games.

The two teams will play again on tomorrow, a match that Kenya will be seeking to extend their victories over Taifa Stars to 25 out of 55 meetings. The match will be staged at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani, from 7pm.

Tanzania are also preparing for a crucial qualifier against Equatorial Guinea away on 25th March, then a home game against Libya three days later.