[Photo/courtesy]Kenya’s stuttering start to 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Freetown, Sierra Leone has thrust Harambee Stars technical bench into the spotlight as their 2-1 loss to Lone Star is blamed on questioning fielding.With five fixtures still pending in Group F, Harambee Stars’ chances of reaching the finals in Cameroon already seem like a mirage after the Freetown debacle.Despite Sierra Leone’s rating as group underdogs, the 113th-ranked West African nation subjected Kenya to a heart wrenching defeat with a goal in each half as Michael Olunga’s free-kick was insufficient to claim any point for Kenya.Stars were brimming with confidence ahead of the tie, having won four dead rubbers and drawn multiple friendly matches prior to Saturday’s match.Coach Stanley Okumbi, however, erred by ditching the tried and tested Ulinzi Stars duo of Samuel Onyango and Stephen Waruru, the Kenyan Premier League leading scorer for Kariobangi Sharks Masoud Juma and Vasalunds IF winger Eric Johanna.Johanna has seen limited playtime in the Swedish Division since making his dream move from Mathare United early this year and the effects were crippling to Kenya’s attack. He, however, orchestrated one first-half move into the opposition box, which would have resulted in a goal had Olunga not fluffed. The 26-year-old then went missing until his substitution.Juma inexplicably got the nod to partner Olunga ahead of the on-form Waruru and the Kariobangi Sharks forward contrived to betray his selection and pile pressure on Okumbi by missing a sitter in the first half.Olunga found him with a low ball into Lone Star box but the forward failed to seize the moment, missing Kenya’s first open chance at goal.The fielding seemed awkward from the onset as David Ochieng, who flourished alongside skipper Victor Wanyama in his last outing for Kenya, started on the bench. Wanyama’s partnership with Anthony Akumu held at the beginning but generally failed to sparkle as the skipper ventured forward often leaving Akumu and the backline exposed.Down at the flanks, speedy winger Ayub Timbe and Johanna, relied on for creativity upfront, had nothing to show. Timbe picked an early yellow card and lost his usual spark. The result was Kenya playing a scrappy game with apparent incoherence upfront. Harambee Stars’ situation was worsened when Brian Mandela was sent off for a rash tackle at the beginning of second half. Kenya’s main undoing seems to be endless tinkering which in Saturday’s case rendered the team incapacitated.Kenya next play group favourites Ghana in March 2018.

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