Cliff Nyakeya shines as Harambee Stars edge Zambia in friendly

Cliff Nyakeya put up a man-of-the-match performance as Kenya beat Zambia 2-1 in an international friendly match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.

Nyakeya was involved in both goals for the Harambee Stars who had not beaten Zambia since 2001.

The El Masr forward had his cross turned into the net by Zambia defender Mwape Tandi on 20 minutes, before he doubled the hosts' lead on 37 minutes after receiving a well calculated pass from Kenneth Muguna from the middle of the pitch.

Emmanuel Chaluba headed home into the top right corner with nine minutes to play to set up a nervy end to the match. Three minutes later, Zambians had the ball over the line but the second assistant referee had her flag up, leaving the visitors furiously protesting.

"We knew Kenya is a strong team and we came prepared. I cannot accept the way we conceded the two goals from counter attacks because you cannot come away from home and not defend against counter attacks," a furious Milutin Sredojevic, the Zambia coach, said after the match.

"On the last minute incidence, that shows why we need VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in football because everyone can clearly see that was a clear goal," lamented the Serbian.

He however was impressed with the overall performance of his team.

“We dominated against a strong Kenya side and I think, despite losing, that we achieved what we came here to do. We lost so many scoring chances and our defending was not good and that is what we will now work before we face Botswana in November,” he said.

Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi also lauded his players and was quick to point out that he will face a “good” selection headache when the team faces Comoros in two legs of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

“We played very well in the first half but our performance dipped after the breather but that was expected as most players have not been active. We generally did well against a good Zambia side and that gives me hope ahead of the upcoming assignments,” Kimanzi said after the match.

Kimanzi gave some fresh faces starting berths including KCB FC right back Baraka Badi while England-based Clarke Oduor joined the fray in the second half and Kimanzi says he was impressed with their performance.

“We did not have senior players such as Michael Olunga, Victor Wanyama, Ayub Timbe and Johanna Omolo but I think all the players that came in did well and it gives me a good headache."

Evans Kangwa, Fashion Sakala and Edward Chilufya all went close for the visitors in the opening expchanges, while Masud Juma could only force a corner after he was set through on goal by Muguna.

The Zambians had a chance to go ahead after 17 minutes after the marauding Lubambo left David Owino for dead but his shot missed the target leaving Ian Otieno furious with his defence in Harambee Stars goal.

Three minutes later, Kenya were 1-0 up. Muguna found Nyakeya on the right and the former Mathare United man brought in a cross that Tandi Mwape directed into his own net with Masud Juma waiting to fininish.

Fashion Sakala had another shot blocked by David Owino on the half-hour mark as Stars soaked sustained pressure from the visitors. Chilufya was denied by a timely interception from Joash Onyango in defence 10 minutes to the break, before Nyakeya made it 2-0 on the counter.

Muguna got the ball in the middle of the pitch, and rolled it over to Nyakeya who raced to the edge of the area before unleashing a thunderous shot into the bottom right corner that gave Zambia keeper Sebastien Mwange no chance.

Micho and Kimanzi made a couple of changes in the second half but it was the Zambians who scored on 81 mintes through Chaluba before the controversial moment on 84 minutes.

"I'm very happy to score my first goal for the national team. Our league in EGypt is in session and that gave me the advantage because my fitness levels are high. I'm looking forward to the Afcon qualifiers next month," Nyakeya said after the match.

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