Kenya men’s national football team – Harambee Stars – complicated their World Cup qualifying chances after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Gabon in a packed Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 23 March.Having come off a spirited display against The Gambia three days ago, Stars were left to rue their chances as they fell to two Pierre Emerick Aubameyang strikes, and failed to replicate their heroic comeback efforts.Thanks to a nervy start in front of an eager crowd, the hosts went behind after 15 minutes when Aubameyang lashed his effort past Ian Otieno, before the former Arsenal striker doubled his tally early in the second-half from the spot.Michael Olunga grabbed a goal back shortly after the hour-mark, but it was not to be for Harambee Stars, who fell to their second defeat of the qualifying campaign, and now lie nine points behind their immediate tormentors with four matches left.LIVE BLOG: Aubameyang strike the difference between Harambee Stars and Gabon at NyayoMatch Report The stage had been set for a sort of home-coming for Harambee Stars, playing their first game in four years at home, but a scuffed attempt from Teddy Akumu, in hindsight, was what moved the crowd in the opening minutes, as the hosts were forced to scumper for safety early on.Just two minutes in, Kenya counted themselves lucky as Otieno was forced to hack away a tame effort from Aubameyang, who had been found in space by Denis Bouanga.Stars skipper Olunga engineered Kenya’s first real chance when he dispossed Alex Mouketou, only to delay with the ball, and much to the delight of visiting keeper Mbaba.The warning lights for Kenya blinked once more in the 12th minute when their tormentor in the first-leg- Guelor Kanga – tested Otieno with a direct freekick from the right, but the Richards Bay shotstopper was well onto it, palming the ball out for a corner.##NAJAVA_MECA_8798973##Gabon however kept knocking, and were soon in the driving seat – Aubameyang collecting a fine cross-ball from Kanga to lash in a left-footed shot past Otieno and into the bottom corner.15 minutes in, and the reality of a much superior side in control in your home perch had started kicking in.The ensuing silence was not there to last however, as Olunga found the net four minutes later, only for the linesman to put his flag up.Turkish giants courting Kshs 1.2 billion valued Kenyan wingerThe Al Duhail man, who had pounced on a rebound, was deemed to have moved offside prior to Wilson Lenkupae’s stinging shot at goal.With rare forays, Kenya needed to convert their scarce chances, but on two occasions left fans frustrated.Richard Odada was one beneficiary of a Gabon mistake, but he scooped his shot agonisingly wide, while Olunga headed a Timothy Ouma cross wide in first-half stoppage time.In between those chances was a long-range effort from Olunga which struck the upright, giving the home support hope as they trailed at the half.A mini halftime show was not enough to rub off any nervousness in the stands, as Gabon came out the same way they started the game.AFC Leopards adjust AGM date after Mashemeji Derby reschedulingIn a bid to build play from behind, Odada found himself on ice, slipping and handing the initiative to Bouanga who fortunately hit the post.Minutes later, things became worse for Kenya after Eric Ouma was adjudged to have handled Aubameyang’s cross from the right, the latter making no mistake with his spot-kick as he sent Otieno the wrong way.Cue real agony from the home support, which was nearly doubled when Lenkupae scooped over a teasing cross from Olunga.Kenya’s resilience, showed in buckeloads on Thursday, was exemplified by Ouma’s movement on the left, as he hustled past two players to set up Olunga for a near-post finish.All of a sudden, there was hope, but not even the entry of Jonah Ayunga and Duke Abuya – who saw a goal-bound shot blocked – could help Kenya’s course of salvaging a point.The heroics of The Gambia match in Ivory Coast had instead run their course, and almost felt too good to be repeated twice.A home loss and perhaps, a World Cup dream gone with it.
