One step at a time as Harambee Stars edge Pakistan side

Harambee Stars players training at Kasarani on March 25.[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Harambee Stars picked their first win in 18 months after narrowly edging out Pakistan 1-0 in their Four Nation international tournament at the Anjalay Coopen Stadium, in Mauritius.

Debutant Moses Shumah scored Kenya's winning goal in the first half as Engin Firat picked his second win with Harambee Stars.

Since arriving in the country in September 2021, the Turkish tactician has not had an easy ride.

The coach's first game ended in a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Mali during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in October 2021, before losing 1-0 in the return leg.

A 1-1 draw with Uganda was next before he picked his first after defeating Rwanda 2-1 in a dead-rubber match at Nyayo Stadium, in November.

Firat left after Kenya was banned by Fifa for government interference, but he returned in March this year after the ban was lifted.

The Turk took Kenya to play Iran the same month and despite Michael Olunga scoring and with Kenya leading until the 75th minute, two late goals condemned Harambee Stars to a 2-1 defeat.

Yesterday, Firat needed a win to turn around his sinking ship if his past statistics with Stars was anything to go by and Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah provided the answer in the 17th minute.

Former Gor Mahia left-back Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma picked a loose ball at the edge of the Pakistani box, unleashing a shot that was blocked by the defense before falling on Shumah's path who lobbed the ball past a charging goalkeeper Yousuf Butt.

Shumah could have doubled the lead in the 28th minute when he headed the ball past Butt, only to be rescued by a line clearance by the Pakistani defense.

Moments later, Shumah again failed to double his lead after a one-two exchange of passes between Olunga and an overlapping right back Daniel Sakari.

Olunga released the Tusker defender with a neat low pass, which he crossed to find Shumah with a low cross from the right wing but the Homeboyz forward's touch sailed narrowly wide.

Kenya went for the break with a narrow 1-0 lead. Firat handed two players Byrne Omondi and Moses Shumah their debuts. Omondi started in goal while Shumah supported Olunga upfront.

Daniel Sakari, Abud Omar, Collins Sichenje and David Ochieng started at the back while Teddy Akumu, Amos Nondi and Richard Odada formed the midfield three. Shumah and Eric Ouma played alongside captain Olunga upfront.

Harambee Stars coach Firat and Olunga said they are using the tournament as an avenue for the team in preparation for future key international tournaments.

One of the major goals for Kenya includes the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.