Kenya’s Emerging Stars took a huge step in qualifying for the next round of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations tournament, after thrashing Mauritius 5-0 at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.
The team will now head into the return leg with a lot of optimism, after overrunning their opponents in the first match played on Wednesday.
The team got their goals through Johnstone Omurwa, who gave the team the lead in the 11th minute before James Mazembe made it 2-0 13 minutes later.
The team was disciplined from the back, with the midfield linking well with the attacking to frustrate and give a hard time to the visiting side.
Mazembe added a third before the end of the first half, to fully give the home team control of the match that was turning into a one-sided affair.
On resumption of the second half, the Stars picked from where they had left, scoring a fourth in the 55th minute, before rounding of the win with a fifth later on in the match.
Kenya XI:
Brian Bwire (GK), Joseph Okumu (C), Yussuf Mainge, Johnstone Omurwa, David Owino, Teddy Osok, Ovella Ochieng, Ibrahim Shambi, Chrispinus Onyango, James Mazembe and Pistone Mutamba.
Subs: Timothy Odhiambo, Mike Kibwage, Jafari Owiti, Sydney Lokale, Tobbias Otieno, Alwyn Tera, Henry Ochieng.