Kenya’s journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar started with a boring draw as Harambee Stars were held at home by Uganda Cranes.The hosts failed to muster a single shot on target in the scoreless draw on Thursday evening at Nyayo stadium. However, the young Kenyan side showed plenty of promise with select individual performances catching the eye.Where was this guy Richard? What a talent! I think the DM role has been sorted. The player has lots of confidence with the ball. #HarambeeStars— Dennis Omuya (@dennis_omuya98) September 2, 2021 Notably, debutant Richard Odada had a game to remember while Lawrence Juma will hope that the next game comes quickly and he can have a chance to redeem himself after a disastrous showing.Harambee Stars started the game on a high and Abdallah Hassan had twwo chances in the opening five minutes but failed to capitalize on any of them.Uganda’s slow start was made worse following the injury of Halidi Lwaliwa who was replaced by Enock Walusimbi in the ninth minute.Uganda slowly grew into the game, a duel that Kenya had dominated for much of the opening stages.Harambe stars and Uganda game was boring, i thought Kapsoit and kimwarer boys playing in Karimanyin stadium 🏟.Mwendwa na ghost 👻 #HarambeeStars— Komudho jr (@KomudhoJ) September 2, 2021 Sofapaka’s Lawrence Juma had a slow start to the game that he never recoverd from, losing the ball a couple of consecutive times in the middle of the park and forcing coach Jacob Ghost Mulee to take him out for Eric Johanna after just 30 minutes.Richard Odada. Oh boy! The Serbian- based midfielder bossed the midfield, stringing beautiful passes and making decisive tackles when need be. Former Gor Mahia midfielder Khalid Aucho has never changed and his combative nature was felt, and became the first person on the referee’s book after a foul on Daniel Sakari.Uganda thought they had been handed the chance to take the lead from the spot 35 minutes in the game when Milton Karisa was brought down by Joseph Okumu and the referee pointed to the spot but he rescinded his decision after consultation with the assistant and awarded a freekick that was sent over the bar.Harambee Stars came alive more towards the end of the first half, with Michael Olunga and Abdalla Juma being on the end of the attacks but their shots went wide.Ghost has to improve his substitution skills. This is a Qualifier, not a friendly one. #HarambeeStars— Jim Kinyua (@_jimkinyua) September 2, 2021 Uganda were dealt yet another blow in the final stoppage minute of the first half as Emmanuel Okwi was stretched out injured, and they waited for the second half to resume to make changes with the first coming to an end with scores level.On resumption, Micho brought in Derrick Nsimbambi to replace the injured Okwi, and Aucho assumed the captaincy.Harambee Stars resumed with the same urge to score and took the game to Uganda and much of the play took place on Cranes territory.However, the opening goal eluded Stars and Cranes were not any better.Going for the kill, Mulee brought in Boniface Muchiri and Duke Abuya for Kenneth Muguna and Abdalla, before resting substitute Johana for Jackson Macharia.Mulee, in his usual rain coat, stood on the touchline for the better part of the second half, giving instructions on where to rectify and maximize on.
