AFCON2019: The positives from Harambee Stars loss to Senegal

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Harambee Stars 3-0 loss to Senegal on Monday night at the Africa Cup Of Nations was not unexpected. Losing to FIFA’s top-rankedĀ  African Team should hold no shame, especially when the team that lost had not featured in the tournament for 15 years.

There was a lot to like from Harambee Stars performance against the Lions Of Teranga. Below we look at some of the positives from a night that was the perfect reality check for Kenyan football.

The First Half

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Despite conceding a penalty and Patrick Matasi making two very good saves to deny the Senegalese attack, Stars’ first-half performance was decent enough. Sebastian Migne’s side played what was arguably the best football seen from Kenya in this year’s tournament in the first 45 minutes.

They did not sit back and defend, instead, the team went for the early goal which was very pleasing to the eye. Passes were being strung together and even when they went long, most balls to Micheal Olunga were perfect.

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The approach seemed to unsettle Aliou Cisse’s backline and almost led to a goal by Olunga after a poor back pass from Senegal.

Can we have more of such? Over to you, Migne.

Patrick Matasi

In all honesty, this match should have been over in the first half but Patrick Matasi had other ideas. One save early in the first half with his feet was nothing short of World Class. The former AFC Leopards custodian reminded everyone of his penalty-saving prowess with a first-half spot-kick save from Sadio Mane.

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He might be at fault for the first goal but Matasi’s performance was so good that most Kenyans can afford to turn a blind eye on the error. The 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge hero has been badly exposed by makeshift center back pairing in all 3 Matches at the tournament, with better structure his performances will be far better too!

Johanna Omollo

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Much of the good work that Sebastian Migne’s side did in the first half came from the Cercle Brugge midfielder. Deployed in the attacking midfield position, Omollo was instrumental in driving the team forward. Some of his touches and passes drew lots of praise from the fans, both at home and from the Stadium in Egypt.

He has been one of the revelations from the Kenyan team at the tournament, alongside Joseph Okumu. Omollo is one to keep around the team a little bit longer.

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