NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 18 – National football team Harambee Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of hosts Mauritius, in their last of two friendly matches in the Island nation, in the four-nation friendly series.
Saramandif Kency scored the lone goal in the first half, while Stars failed to sound a response, head coach Engin Firat left with a lot to think off as he continues building his team towards the next round of competitive matches.
Stars had won 1-0 against Pakistan on Wednesday and had looked forward to a second consecutive victory, but they fired blanks against a side ranked 78 places lower than them.
Head coach Engin Firat had made some changes to the squad from the one that started against Pakistan, FKF Premier League top scorer Benson Omalla finally making his debut in the team, while Victor Omune was also handed a chance to start.
The first opening minutes didn’t witness much of action infront of either goal as both teams took time to settle. Mauritius got their goal after 22 minutes when Kency reacted quickest inside the box, when goalkeeper Bryne Omondi spilled a header on the face of goal.
Stars tried to come back into the duel, but couldn’t land a shot on target.
In the second half, Mauritius had another good chance to make it 2-0 when the experienced Kevin Bru fired a shot from a freekick, but keeper Omondi, marking his second cap for the national team, made a good save.
Coach Firat had made some changes for his side, Moses Shummah replacing Omalla while Abud Omar had come in for Omune, with Daniel Sakari also being introduced for Clifton Miheso.
In the 68th minute, Stars landed their first shot on target when skipper Michael Olunga was set up by Shummah, but his low shot was saved by the keeper.
Three minutes on the turn, Mauritius had another chance but keeper Omondi made another brilliant save pushing behind a well taken volley from Jeremy Villeneuve.
In the final 20 minutes of the game, Sakari’s long throws had become a problem for Mauritius as they struggled to defend. From such, Richard Odada almost levelled, but his looping header came off the upright.
Stars attacked as the clock ticked but the home side, pushed on by a capacity crowd, defended well.
