Kenya’s U20 team hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) hang in the balance after falling 3-1 to Tunisia in their second Group B match at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. Rising Stars had hoped to win the match and breath life into their fast-fading dream for a place in the quarters the tournament. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8901189##However, the team, once again, surrendered it’s lead to fall to Tunisia, leaving them staring at the danger of crashing out before their last group stage match. It will probably take a combination of a win against Nigeria in the last group stage match, luck and football miracle for Kenya to book a ticket to the last eight. First Half The Kenyan boys were the quickest team to get off the blocks, as they settled in earlier, as opposed to Tunisia, and enjoyed possession.However, the team appeared to play cautiously unlike in the first match against Morocco where the intensity and running in spaces was higher.Sylvester Owino bags winner as Gor Mahia downs Shabana in heated clashThe possession Stars enjoyed did not count for anything, in the first quarter of the first half, given that lack of coordination and cutting edge in the final third.To their credit, Tunisia were firm and defending and looked like a team that had done thorough homework on the trio of Hassan Beja, Javan Omondi and Aldrine Kibet, as they were double marked whenever they were in possession.The half was largely characterized by stoppages occasioned by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) checks and injuries that kept medics from either sides busy.Tunisian goalkeeper Thomas Zouaghi was treated on the pitch after going down unchallenged while appearing to be experiencing difficulties in his shoulder.Later on, Stars forward Lawrence Ouma came off worse from a clash of heads that forced the referee Emmanuel Mensah to pause play for the striker to receive treatment. FKFPL Wrap: Kenya Police extend league lead as City Stars move closer to the dropOuma, who returned on the pitch with a bandage on his head gave Kenya the lead in the 38th minute, tapping in a lovely cut back from close range.The towering striker was at the right place at the right time to finish off the hard labour by Beja, who had danced through his markers to square the ball to his feet. The goal saw the two stretch their goal contributions to two in the tournament, as they were on target in the 3-2 loss to Morocco on Thursday.There were no signs of Tunisia threatening the Kenyan back line until a dangerous cross was floated into the Kenyan area which resulted to a penalty after Baron Ochieng handled the second ball.##NAJAVA_MECA_8901232##Goalkeeper Wycliford Oduor had made an important touch on the initial ball which ricochoted off the woodwork, with Baron handling what was supposed to have been Nacim Dandani’s cut back.After another VAR review, Mensah awarded Tunisia a penalty which Fares Bousnina sent Oduor the wrong way to draw his side level. Second HalfBefore Mensah got the proceedings underway, Stass made their change with Elly Owande coming in for Javan Omondi, whom the defenders did not allow breathing space in the first half. Tunisia looked stronger and coordinated their attack and defence well in the opening minutes of the half unlike in the first half where the team lacked fluidity.KCB defender concedes defeat in race for FKFPL titleKenya did not react well to the early warning signs and did not capitalise on the good runs made, especially on the break, to the frustration of a handful of fans who had turned up.Ryan Boukadida nearly gave Tunisia the lead in the 64th minute but his header kissed the outside of the roof net, with Oduor well beaten.Lack of communication between Oduor and Baron saw Omar Ben Ali score arguably the easiest goal of the tournament as the second-half substitute needed to pass the ball into an empty net.What supposed to have been either a comfortable catch for Oduor or clearance for Baron, but the duo failed to communicate only for Ali to steal the loose ball and score.Efforts to secure at least a draw from match suffered a blow after Alaaeddine Derbali scored the third goal for the Tunisia in the 85th minute.##NAJAVA_MECA_8900403##Derbali had attempted to whip in a cross, but Oduor misjudged the ball only for hit to sail in with the help of a touch off the woodwork.
