Despite falling short in their quest for a chance to represent Africa at the Deaflympic Games set for 1 to 15 May 2022 in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, national men’s deaf football side came alive in the classification matches to see off neighbours Somaliland 5-2. Kenya, who were grouped in pool A with Senegal and Mali, started the competition on a low losing the opening match 3-1 to Senegal and 4-2 to Mali to miss a quarter-final slot and exit the knockout stages of the Africa Deaf Ball Games Qualifiers.”We have mixed feelings with the results. It is bitter sweet, picking such a win but missing out on the knockout stage. We started on a low, first the team was caught off-guard getting communication late at night that we would be meeting Senegal for our first match the following day. Against Mali, the some of my players were not really fit and we lost to a much better side. Playing two West African teams back-to-back was sort of a culture shock for my players as their physique and technique is much better. It was, however, impressive how well the players handled the match,” said the Kenyan tactician Ben Omukuba. Kennedy Kilonzo opened the scoring for Kenya in the 14th minute, his efforts paying off after the Somaliland shot stopper Iman Maulid had denied him twice. Kenya kept pushing with Titus Kipkales marshalling Kenya’s midfield Well to keep the ball in one half. Eleven minutes later, Kenya doubled their advantage through a Philip Kirui tap in from close range. Two minutes later, Kilonzo was through on goal for Kenya’s third but his effort from a difficult angle hit the sidenet much to the disappointment of his teammates who were in prime position to convert. Muinde Mweu made matters 3-0 in the 36th minute for the match to head to the break with Kenya well ahead of their opponents. On resumption, Kevin Njagi who had come in as a second half substitute was brought down in the box, in the 61st minute, and the referee pointed to the box for a penalty that Kenya’s skipper Bashir Yahye converted to take Kenya’s lead to four. Somaliland pulled one back in the 76th minute, Ahmed Siyad, tapping in from close range for a 4-1 scoreline. Kenya’s Gasper Asituha converted Kenya’s fifth from the spot with Siyad adding Somaliland’s second in the 85th to see the match end 5-2 in favour of Kenya. “We have picked valuable lessons from this qualification process and the team can only get better. The biggest take away was the need for communication and adjusting to the matches as they come. We had three weeks to prepare after the team selection and given time to prepare, we can get to the level of the best teams in the continent,” added the tactician.
