By Dennis Mabuka
One man down for most of the game, hosts Harambee Stars rallied from a goal down to snatch a draw against Angola’s “Palancas Negras” (Black Antelopes) at Kasarani on Sunday night, keeping their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group ‘A’ hopes high ahead of Sunday’s crucial fixture against red-hot favourites Morocco.
Kenya’s national team secured the vital point despite the sending off of Marvin Nabwire.
Having lost their opener 2-0 against Morocco, Angola started strongly and took the lead in the seventh minute through Jó Paciência before Austin Odhiambo scored from the penalty spot to level matters for Kenya in the 12th minute.
Harambee Stars’ coach Benni McCarthy made one change from the starting XI that defeated two-time CHAN champions DR Congo 1-0 in the opener, with striker Boniface Muchiri coming in for the injured Masoud Juma.
Goalkeeper Bryne Omondi kept his spot between the sticks with captain Aboud Omar leading the defensive line alongside Sylvester Owino, Alphonse Omija and Daniel Sakari.
The midfield revolved around Edward Omondi, Manzur Suleiman Okwaro, who kept his role after the impressive display against the Leopards, Marvin Nabwire, and Boniface Muchiri while Alpha Onyango and Austin Odhiambo in the striking role.
Angola started strongly in the first half
Just like the game against DR Congo, Kenya started at a slow pace allowing the champions of COSAFA to dominate the midfield and create chances.
Against DR Congo, Kenya found themselves 1-0 down with only five minutes played, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Against Angola, they were punished in the seventh minute when Bernabé Muafulo Tomás won the ball from the right wing, and got into a good position, before setting up Jó Paciência.
The F.C. Bravos do Maquis forward dribbled past one defender before slotting the ball past the advancing Omondi.
This time, VAR was not able to save Kenya, as the goal counted to silence Harambee Stars’ fans, who had thronged the venue to cheer them on.
The goal awoke Kenya, who immediately started to build their play from the back, and they should have levelled matters in the 16th minute when Austin Odhiambo combined well with Nabwire, who in turn released Boniface Muchiri with a superb pass, but the Ulinzi Stars striker missed the target.
VAR to the home team’s rescue
However, Kenya’s relentless attacks finally paid off five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty following a clumsy foul on Odhiambo, whose quick turn while advancing towards goal saw him hacked down by defender Joaquim Balanga.
After a review by VAR, Malian referee Sadou Ali Brahamou pointed to the spot. Odhiambo, the scorer of the only goal against DR Congo, dusted himself up to calmy send the Palancas Negras custodian Neblú of Primeiro de Agosto the wrong way.
However, Kenya’s efforts to double their lead suffered a huge blow after they were reduced to 10-men.
Goalkeeper Bryne Omondi made a huge mistake by giving the ball away while trying to clear a back pass, and in an effort to prevent a goal, Nabwire grabbed Paciencia’s shirt, and he was sent off for a second bookable offense.
However, after a few seconds, referee Ali Brahamou decided to review the incident by checking on VAR, and after it was complete, he reached out to his pocket before sending the AFC Leopards midfielder to an early shower.
After the sending off of Nabwire, Harambee Stars managed to keep calm and twice denied Angola from taking the game out of reach.
The first effort was from Paciencia, whose glancing header was saved by Omondi before Alpha Onyango did well to block, and clear a powerful goalbound effort from Gilberto.
At the start of the second period, Angola and Kenya made a change – João de Jesus Ngunza was replaced by Anderson Emanuel, while for Harambee Stars, Muchiri was benched for Michael Kibwage. Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango were later withdrawn for Chrispine Erambo and Ryan Ogam.
Angola thought they had won the game in the stoppages when substitute Kaporal found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
DR Congo return to winning ways
Meanwhile, in another Group ‘A’ fixture at Nyayo Stadium, DR Congo reignited their campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Zambia.
Goals from Ibrahim Matobo and substitute Horso Mwaku helped the Leopards bounce back from their opening day defeat to co-hosts Kenya and keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
The win marked the end of a five-match winless run for DR Congo at CHAN, while inflicting Zambia’s first-ever group stage defeat in the competition’s history — a remarkable statistic that stretched across 12 matches prior to kickoff.
The Communications Unit at Pamoja Africa is dedicated to bringing fans timely, accurate, and inspiring stories from across the African football scene. Passionate about celebrating CHAN’24 and AFCON’27 editions lated for East Africa. The team curates news, features, and exclusive insights that connect audiences to the heart of African football.
