Kenyan players celebrate after Michael Olunga scored against Uganda Cranes. Photo: sportpicha
Harambee Stars First Coach was left ruing missed chances as the Uganda Cranes clawed their way back in the dying minutes to force a 1-1 draw against the home side in a friendly match played at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Thursday.
The Stars looked on course to claiming a narrow win over their neighbours after Michael Olunga had put them ahead in the 35th minute but substitute Hassan Waiswa broke the locals’ hearts in the 87th minute.
“I’m not happy because we should have won this. We created so many chances; about four clear goals but we could not put them away. I expect more from Olunga and Were because they are scoring for their clubs, why not the national team?” a visibly disappointed Okumbi posed.
The hosts were the first to threaten but Olunga’s low drive in the second minute gave little trouble to Cranes goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan.
The Guizhou Zhicheng striker was presented his second chance moments later but shot wastefully wide after a neat through pass from his partner upfront Were.
At the quarter-hour mark, the Cranes found their opening with Geoffrey Sserunkuma forcing Patrick Matasi to a save with a belter of a shot.
Robinson Kamura almost made it 2-0 but his expertly taken free-kick came off the woodwork with Were blasting over the rebound.
The Cranes made two more changes, with Gor Mahia defender Godfrey Walusimbi was rested for Emmanuel Okwi and Niko Wadada replacing Kirizesto Ntambi.
The tide seemed to turn in favour of the visitors in the last quarter as Okumbi opted to reinforce his midfield by bringing on Bernard Mang’oli and Osborne Monday for Samuel Onyango and Johanna Omolo.
The substitutions did nothing to prevent the Cranes from finding a way back as substitute Moses Waiswa capitalized on a lapse in concentration in the Kenyan backline to pull level.
Harambee Stars will face DRC Congo on Sunday at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.