Kenya national soccer team Harambee Stars survived a late scare to draw 1-1 with Angola in their CHAN group A encounter.
Midfield maestro Austin Odhiambo calmly converted a 12th minute penalty as Harambee Stars battled from behind to earn a well deserved though hard fought 1-1 draw against a highly-rated Angola side at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Thursday.
The game proved to be a tense and closely contested encounter that kept the home crowd on edge throughout.
The results now leaves Kenya on top of the group with 4 points.
Angola were the first to score in the 7th minute through Jo Palencia.
Stars equalised 5 minutes later after Austin Odhiambo converted from penalty after a VAR review.
Odhiambo sent Angola keeper the wrong way to ensure Kenya came back.
Harambee stars were reduced to ten men in the 21st minute after defender Marvin Nabwire was shown a red card by the referee after a tackle on Angolan goal scorer.
Angola failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage and possession to get another goal.
Later, coach Benny McCarthy reshuffled the Kenyan lineup further, replacing Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Chris Onyango with Chrispine Erambo and Ryan Ogam.
A dramatic climax nearly saw Angola snatch all three points in stoppage time.
Palancas Negras thought he had found the winner on the counterattack, but the goal was ruled out following another VAR intervention for offside.
Kenya’s goalkeeper Byrne Omondi made a series of vital saves to keep the hosts level, including denying Aguinaldo Matias and Jó Paciência from close range in the second half.
Kenya created a few opportunities at the opposite end of the goal, despite being a man down.
Substitute Chrispine Erambo went close late on with a powerful drive, and Sylvester Owino narrowly missed the target after a well-delivered corner.
The final whistle was met with a mix of relief and celebration from the Kenyan bench, who knew just how significant the point was given the circumstances.
Kenya will face Zambia in their next match before concluding the group last game with Algeria.
The stars will hold their shoulder high if they make it past the ‘group of death’ since its their debut in the Championship of African Nations.
Coach McCarthy said it was the toughest match he has ever faced as a coach especially after going down one man less and a goal down in the early stages.
“That was the toughest match I’ve ever faced as a coach. To be honest, I’m exhausted. I can’t wait to go and rest. When you go a man less and a goal down just after 15 minutes you have to think about how to manage the whole match,” said the Harambee Stars Head Coach.
Angola Head Coach Pedro Goncalves lauded Harambee Stars for putting up a convincing show despite being a man and a goal down.
He however accused them of using delaying tactics to force a draw.
“Kenya played well down with 10 men. Unfortunately, they were wasting a lot of time. You saw when the player got the red card,the goalkeeper just fell down. We can’t promote that kind of attitude,” said the Angola Head Coach.
Veteran journalists John Majau and Nelson Mutwiri who watched the entire proceedings said they have never ever celebrated a draw and an offside like they did during the encounter.
“The game kept the home crowd on edge throughout and especially during the final dramatic moments when Stars went all out. I have never celebrated an offside or a draw like I did today in my entire life. The game brought unprecedented sense of patriotism and unity,” said Majau.
Mutwiri, who was visibly overwhelmed by emotions after the final whistle applauded the Stars for their resilience and stubborn display that led to a draw.
“The goal had silenced the Kenyans who almost filled the Kasarani Stadium, thinking the over 70 minutes of remarkable efforts by McCarthy’s 10 men for a draw had been wasted just seconds to the final whistle.
Thankfully and much to the changrin of the Angola players, the referee canceled the goal after their short lived celebrations before blowing the final whistle,” said Mutwiri.
