NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu and Masud Juma have scored as national football team Harambee Stars came from a goal down to lead Russia 2-1 in a friendly match played in Antalya, Turkey.
Alexander Sobolev had given the Russians a 1-0 lead inside eight minutes, but Stars regrouped quick to score twice and lead at the break, and putting up a compact display while at it.
Sobolev scored the opener for the Russians with a side-footed finish beyond keeper Bryne Odhiambo, after defender Joseph Okumu’s short pass at the back was intercepted by Maksim Mukhin who fed it to the striker to score.
Stars had to make an early change with keeper Bryne coming off injured and was replaced by Patrick Matasi after 13 minutes.
Stars equalized in the 15th minute thanks to some good tight press from Akumu. The midfielder had rushed in to win the ball off Dimitry Barinov who had picked a pass from his keeper. Akumu then fed skipper Michael Olunga but his shot was blocked.
He was well placed to pick the rebound and burry it into the net.
Juma then doubled the tally for Kenya in the 37th minute with a finish unmarked inside the box after Georgiy Dzihikiya’s defensive header fell brilliantly into his path.
Olunga should have given Kenya the third goal with two chances. First, he was put through by a well weighted deep pass from Richard Odada, but his attempt at dinking past the keeper on his weaker right foot saw the effort bounce just wide.
In added time, he was picked out by a cross from the left, but his glancing header went straight to the keeper’s arms.
