Harambee Stars kept their dream of lifting the inaugural nations Mapinduzi Cup alive with a comfortable 2-0 win over Tanzania in a second-round encounter at Gombani Stadium, Pemba.Goals from Ulinzi Stars’ Boniface Muchiri and FKF Premier League top scorer Ryan Ogam in the 55th and 67th minutes, respectively, sealed the victory for Kenya.The victory takes Harambee Stars to four points in the tournament and in pole position to grace the final ahead of their final group game.Coach Francis Kimanzi rang in four changes from the squad that settled for a 1-1 stalemate against Burkina Faso in the opening fixture.##NAJAVA_MECA_8618390##Notably, the Gor Mahia duo of Sylvester Owino and Alphonse Omija anchored the defense, while Austine Odhiambo led the charge upfront. Shabana’s winger Darius Msagha earned a starting berth on the right flank.Kenya kicked off the game with a lively display, pinning Kilimanjaro Stars’ defenders back and keeping them on their toes from the outset.Barely three minutes in, Tanzania sniffed an opening after a midfield scramble. Offen Chikola dribbled through the Kenyan rearguard but could only muster a tame shot into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Bryne Odhiambo.Two minutes later, Kenya breached the overcrowded Tanzanian midfield with a slick one-two between Chris Erambo and Austine Odhiambo, sending Ulinzi Stars’ Muchiri racing down the wing.However, Muchiri, perhaps unsettled by the mildew grass, lost his grip on the ball and ran it out of play, squandering a promising chance.Kasarani, Nyayo Stadia progress 24 days to hosting of CHAN [PHOTOS]As the game wore on, Kilimanjaro Stars gradually grew into the contest, giving Kenya’s backline and midfield occasional headaches, though without a decisive punch.In the 10th minute, Aboud Omar and Muchiri capitalized on a defensive lapse, leading to Omar slipping a neat pass to Muchiri, only for the assistant referee to flag the move offside.The 15th minute witnessed a nervy moment for Kenya, with Erambo heroically clearing the ball off the goal line after a dangerous cross from Tanzania’s right-wing caused chaos in the box.Nine minutes later, Odhiambo showed his playmaking flair, sending a pinpoint long ball to Muchiri.The Ulinzi man nutmegged his marker Edson Katanga, only to see his attempted cross blocked, resulting in a throw-in.From the ensuing throw by Daniel Sakari, Gor Mahia’s towering defender Owino rose high, aiming to nod the ball over goalkeeper Metacha Mnata, but the shot-stopper was alert and held his ground.Full schedule of CAF’s 2025 events including CHAN co-hosted by KenyaMinutes later, Kenya’s left flank began to sizzle with some promising link-up play between Muchiri and Omar.The chemistry between the two appeared to blossom, but Omar’s cross into the box went unanswered as Ryan Ogam failed to outjump his marker.In the 37th minute, Kilimanjaro earned a free kick in a dangerous position after Darius Msagha fouled Chrispin Nguish.Ayoub Lyanga’s effort was swung into the box, and Pascal Msindo’s header followed, but the ball sailed harmlessly wide, much to Kenya’s relief.Just before halftime, Ryan Ogam became the first player to see yellow after a reckless challenge on Sospeter Bajana thwarted what looked like a promising Tanzanian counterattack.As the referee signalled halftime, both sides exhaled audibly—45 minutes of frantic, end-to-end football had yielded few clear-cut chances.##NAJAVA_MECA_8618211##Kenya made a bold substitution right after the break, introducing James Kinyanjui for Msagha.In an unusual move, Harambee Stars also swapped goalkeepers, bringing in Farouk Shikalo to replace Bryne Odhiambo.Shikalo did not have much time to settle in before being thrown into the deep end.A slick one-two between Chrispin Nguish and Ayoub Lyanga carved open the Kenyan defense, giving Lyanga a clear shot on goal.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619987##Shikalo, however, pulled off a brilliant save, diving low to his right to tip the ball out for a corner, much to the frustration of the Tanzania faithful.Tensions flared in the 55th minute when Tanzania appealed for a penalty after Iddy Seleman theatrically went down in the box.The referee, perhaps unimpressed by the light contact and Seleman’s acting skills, waved play on, ignoring the half-hearted protests.Kenya Police CEO proposes new changes in FKF Premier League and NSLJust moments later, Boniface Muchiri crowned his industrious performance with a hard-earned goal.Muchiri’s goalAfter a flowing move involving Brian Musa and Daniel Sakari, the latter delivered a teasing cross into the box.Muchiri’s initial header was blocked by a defender, but the Ulinzi forward pounced on the rebound and slammed it home to give Kenya a deserved lead.That goal brought Muchiri’s tally to two goal contributions in as many games.Stung by the goal, Kilimanjaro Stars made a double substitution in a desperate attempt to salvage their campaign and avoid the humiliation of an early exit.In the 65th minute, Edson Katanga tried to spark something by turning Omija and Sakari inside out before setting up Nguish. Nguish’s quick snapshot had the right idea but missed the bottom corner by mere inches.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619988##Kenya, however, was in no mood to let the game slip. Just two minutes later, a defensive blunder gifted them their second goal.Police FC’s Brian Musa floated a pass towards Sospeter, who fumbled under pressure.In his attempt to pass back to his goalkeeper Metacha Mnata, disaster struck—Mnata slipped, allowing the lurking Ogam to steal in and tap the ball into an empty net.It was a classic case of “if you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the penalty box.”With a two-goal cushion and twenty minutes left, coach Kimanzi opted to refresh his squad, bringing on Michael Mutinda and Rooney Onyango for Muchiri and Musa, ensuring fresh legs in midfield.Singida Black Stars respond after Gor Mahia’s Rooney Onyango blocks transferTanzania had a late chance in the 80th minute after a lapse in concentration from Sakari gifted Seleman the ball.Seleman darted into the box and squared it across goal, but Sefuko Hussein was caught flat-footed, allowing Shikalo to gather comfortably.It was a moment that summed up Kilimanjaro Stars’ night—plenty of effort but lacking in execution.
