NAIROBI, Kenya, February 6- A brace from captain Dennis Oliech and a late second half strike from Paul Were led Harambee Stars to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Libya in a FIFA International friendly on Wednesday.
The returning Ligue 1 AJ Ajaccio forward netted from the spot in the sixth minute before stretching his side’s lead seven minutes later to set Stars on their way in the first half.
Second half substitute Were completed the scoring ten minutes to full time to give James Nadwa’s side victory at the Stade Chedly-Zouiten in Tunis where the game was staged owing to the political turmoil in Libya.
The Libyans came back strongly in the second half but the Kenyan defense marshalled by Norway based custodian, Arnold Origi, Jockins Atudo, Abdallah Juma, David Ochieng and David Owino held firm.
It was Kenya’s first FIFA international friendly win since last October following defeats to South Africa and Tanzania.
Libya had lost three and won one coming to Wednesday’s fixture with Kenya, most probably under Belgian coach Adel Amrouche due to face Nigeria Super Eagles next month away in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
The win will give Kenya a huge lift having beaten a side ranked 47th in the world from their lowly position 126.
STARS STARTING XI
Arnold Origi, Jockins Atudo, Abdallah Juma, David Ochieng, David Owino, Victor Wanyama, Peter Opiyo, Humphrey Mieno, Francis Kahata, David Gateri, Dennis Oliech
LIBYA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mohammed Nashnoush (Al Ittihad, Tripoli), Mahmoud El Houderi (AL Nasr, Benghazi), Ali Eshnayna (Swehli FC, Misrata).
Defenders: Abdurrahman Lamaamy (Al Ahli, Tripoli), Osama Ashteba (Nejmeh SC, Beirut, Lebanon), Walid Sabai (Nejmeh SC, Beirut, Lebanon), Muatassim B’Allah Al-Bagrmy (Al Ittihad, Tripoli).
Midfielders: Abu-Bakr Al-Obaidy (Al Nasr, Benghazi), Mohammed Shebly (Al Ahli, Tripoli), Faisal Al Badri (Al Hilal FC, Benghazi), Mohammed Sanany (Al Ittihad, Tripoli).
Strikers: Salem Ablou (Al Ahli, Tripoli), Farag Abdulhafeed (Salala FC, Oman), Mohammed Al Ghanoudi (Al Ahli, Tripoli), Mohammed L’Ghwel (Swehli FC, Misrata), Muatassim B’Allah Boushnaaf (Union Sportif (US) Monastir, Tunisia)
