World Cup qualifiers: Harambee Stars bounce back after 5-0 win over Seychelles
Football
By
Washington Onyango
| Nov 20, 2023
Michael Olunga scored a brace as Harambee Stars responded in swift action on Monday night after thrashing Seychelles 5-0 in their second World Cup qualifiers match played at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Drawn in a challenging group alongside football powerhouses such as Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles, Kenya kicked off the qualifiers on the back foot after a 2-1 defeat to Gabon at Stade De la Renovation in Franceville.
The defeat left them bottom of Group F without a point and needed to win against Seychelles to revive their World Cup quest once again.
Olunga who has been under much criticism for his lack of goals gave Kenya a dream start after netting in the third minute for a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Olunga made it 2-0 after converting a rebound to make it 2-0 inside the opening 10 minutes.
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Masud Juma who scored in Star's 2-1 defeat to Gabon then made it 3-0 at the stroke of half time after a quick restart from throw in found the Seychelles defense napping.
In the final half, Gor Mahia sensation Rooney Onyango scored his first international goal for Kenya after sending a thunderous shot into the net in the 62nd minute.
Fan favorite Benson Omalla then came off the bench to also score his first international goal in the 74th minute, tapping in Onyango's assist from close range.
Harambee Stars will play Burundi in their next match in June next year.