…..Kenya 1-1 Burundi
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Kenyan national football team played a 1-1 draw against Burundi at home Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday, June 7, 2024 in their third game of group F of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
The Swallows started on a high note in the first half pressing hard in Harambee’s half but failed to create serious scoring chances.
Harambee Stars picked up and settled well especially in the middle of the park where Ouma Timothy Noor, Agay Anthony Akumu and Odada Richard were operating.
However, despite the dominance, the Harambee Stars failed to get a goal in spite of creating chances through captain, Ogada Michael Olunga, Muguna Kenneth Mugambi and Odada Richard.
The Burundiands motivated with their brothers and sisters from Dzaleka Refugees camp who came in large numbers to cheer them, denied the stars from shinning at Bingu Stadium, defensively solid Kenya had no room to penetrate through till the last whistle of the first half.
In the second half both coaches made changes as Kenya brought on Abuya Duke Ooga, Ochieng John with Coach for Burundi, Etienne Ndayiragije brought on Sudi Abdallah Abdallah among others.
The Harambee stars broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through substitute Abuya Duke Ooga.
As the match was thought to end in favor of the home team, Burundi substitute Sudi Abdallah Abdallah leveled the matters in the 85th minute after capitalizing on the Schoolboy mistake made by a Kenyan defender within the penalty box.
As the game excited the fans with its intensity, especially in the closing period, the referee blew the whistle to end the fierce battle of the East African teams played in Southern Africa at the magnificent Bingu National Stadium.
In reaction to the result in a post-match interview, Burundi head coach Etienne Ndayiragije hailed his charges for not giving up easily after they conceded.
“I think the football fraternity has been entertained here, beautiful football from the two sides. Kenya played well in the first half and we finished well in the second half.
“We knew our counterparts were good in the middle of the park hence I introduced sharp wingers who supplied good balls in the box”, said Ndayiragije
The Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat said, “This is not the result we wanted, we didn’t start well but after some minutes we picked up and started playing our game but there were also too many stoppages by the referee who to me also spoiled the game. We conceded a silly goal, in top-level football your players don’t play with the ball in the box but rather kick it away even outside the stadium.
“They need to cool down because we have another difficult match against the African Champions on Tuesday. I am upbeat we can make a surprise with Malawians behind us as it is now our second home”.
With the draw, the Harambee Stars now sit in position 3 with 4 points from 3 games while Burundi are in position four in Group F with four points as well.
Ivory Coast are leading the table after accumulating nine (9) points from 3 games following their 1-0 victory over Gabon in Abidjan, the Gabonese have 6 points from 3 games and remain second in the group.
Kenya will host Ivory Coast in the fourth game of the campaign at Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday, June 12, 2024, while Burundi will travel to Seychelles who are anchoring the group with zero points from two games.