Kenya’s Harambee Stars forward Allan Wanga (left) challenges Hamza Muwonge, the Uganda Cranes goalkeeeper, during their Orange Cecafa Challenge Cup quarter-final match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Monday. Uganda won 1-0. Photos/MOHAMMED AMIN
By ODINDO AYIEKOPosted Monday, December 7 2009 at 22:00
Woeful. That’s what describes Harambee Stars campaign in the 33rdOrange Cecafa Senior Challenge which ended yesterday with defeat to Uganda.
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A season that started so brightly with the Kenya team qualifying to the second round of the qualifiers to the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations ended with nothing to celebrate.
It’s the story Kenyan football, failure, failure, failure!
In Monday’s “Battle for Migingo” the Harambee Stars once again failed to shine and were deservedly eliminated from the regional tournament by defending champions Uganda.
The result confirmed why while Kenya continues to plummet in the World rankings, their neighbours Uganda Cranes who have won the regional title 10 times have been on the rise.
The about 5,000 fans who were at the Nyayo National Stadium left crest fallen, but there was no shedding tears - they are used to seeing their team fail to perform when it matters.
Coach Twahir Muhiddin’s excuse for the performance was that he has had the team for a short time and did not get enough time to build a strong team.
According to him, Kenya has performed beyond his expectations.
“I did not expect us to reach this far. I have had this team for a short time and I have done the best I could with the available resources,” he told reporters after the game.
Kenya paid the price for a lethargic attack but Muhidin attributed the poor show to a string injuries that saw five team players failing to start, a situation that was compounded by the injuries to Joakins Atudo and Christopher Wekesa who were both stretched off.
The Harambee Stars missed two clear chances, one by Allan Wanga in the 17th minute and another by Patrick Oboya in the 50th. Uganda got one chance, scored and defended well.
Uganda coach Bob Williamson said later his strategy worked and added he still has a secret weapon as the tournament continues.
“Where we have now reached I am enjoying. My strategy worked and I am now looking ahead,” he said.
Williamson sent in Robert Sentogo in the 61st minute and within two minutes the pint-sized striker sent the Uganda Cranes into celebrations with a goal that emanated from a move in the midfield after Jerry Santos, Julius Owino and Pascal Ochieng failed to hold on to the ball.
Kenya started brightly with Allan Wanga’s shot being blocked by goalkeeper Hamza Muwonge in the 17thminute. George Odhiambo “Blackberry then rounded two Uganda defenders but there was nobody to tap in his cross.
Source:nation.co.ke/
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