Harambee Stars and Uganda Cranes kicked off their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign by playing to a barren draw in a tedious match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday 2 September. Serbia-based midfielder Richard Odada was clearly a cut above the rest in his senior National team debut for Harambee Stars with netizens deservedly heaping praise on the former AFC Leopards midfielder who has been touted to replace long-serving captain Victor Wanyama who by all indications is being phased out.The only positive today is that young man Richard Odada. #HarambeeStarsKama Albert Sambi Lokonga— PASTOR BALOZI GODFREY ASHIALI (@BALOZIASHIALI) September 2, 2021 Here’s my impression of the players’ performance. Harambee Stars Ian Otieno – 5Didn’t have much to do but looked decent on the few occasions that he was called into action.Daniel Sakari – 5He looked solid defensively throughout the game. He however offered very little going forward.Joseph Okumu – 6He was largely untested but did well to naturalise the few attacks from Uganda Cranes.Eugene Asike – 6He formed an untested central defence pairing with Joseph Okumu and they did well to deal with the threat the few instances that they were tested.Eric Ouma – 5He didn’t look as solid as Milton Karisa caused problems down the right flank. Didn’t offer much in attack either and his few crosses were easily dealt with by Uganda defenders.Richard Odada – 7Despite being his debut, he didn’t seem fazed. He won tackles and screened the back four wall. His passing was equally decent and he must be proud of his performance on his senior national team debut.RICHARD ODADA 🐐 pic.twitter.com/8NrvWC8Se8— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) September 2, 2021 Lawrence Juma – 3He was largely off colour, a shelf of the player who impressed for Sofapaka all season and was taken off after 30 minutes.Kenneth Muguna – 5He showed glimpses of his quality in the game. Good ball recovery and executing attacks. His passing was equally good. He went off for Abuya in the later stages of the first half.Masud Juma – 6Provided a good cross early on that Abdallah Hassan should have at the very least hit the target. Created another second half chance that Olunga should have converted. He looked Kenya’s biggest attacking outlet but his crosses were not utilized.Abdalla Hassan – 4Should have done better with two first half chances. He first miskicked a Masud cross before shooting off target from another glorious chance. Didn’t look like the player who has been so impressive for the National team in recent matches.Michael Olunga – 4He was a marked man throughout the game. Had one long range shot in the first half that didn’t hit the target. He missed a great opportunity from Masud Juma Cross in the second half. Had one attempt in goal all game.SubsEric Johana – 3He replaced the ineffective Lawrence Juma after 30 minutes. He was largely off colour before being taken off for Jackson Macharia.Boniface Muchiri N/AHe replaced Abdallah Hassan late on. Didn’t do much in the minutes he was on the pitch.Duke Abuya N/ACame on for Kenneth Muguna but wasn’t as effective as the player he came on for.Jackson Macharia N/AWas a late introduction for Johanna.Uganda CranesLukwago Charles 5.Didn’t have much to do as Kenyan didn’t cause the backline much problems.Dennis Iguma 5.He was solid defensively but didn’t show any attacking threat down the right.Joseph Ochaya 4.The TP Mazembe man barely created anything despite playing in an advanced position. Was taken off in the 70th minute.Murushid Juuko 6He kept an eye on Olunga for the entire game. Neutralised the threat posed by the Kenya captain.Halid Lwaliwa N/AWas forced off with an injury early in the game. Didn’t have time to impact the match.Khalid Aucho 5His impact wasn’t felt much in the game. The old Aucho was missing at the Nyayo National Stadium. He got booked early in the first half and fizzled for the remainder of the game.Byaruhanga Bobosi 6.The youngest player on the pitch, he looked composed in the middle of the park.Moses Waiswa 4.Didn’t offer much in the middle of the park before going off in the 70th minute.Isaac Muleme 6He kept Abdallah Hassan at for the better part of the game. He was strong defensively and occasionally joined the attack.Emmanuel Okwi 3Didn’t have much to do as his didn’t did not create much in the first half. He went off injured at halftime.Milton Karisa 5He caused Erick Ouma problems down the right. His deliveries were not as good however.SubsEnock Walusimbi 6.Came on after eight minutes of play for Lwaliwa. Together with Juuko they formed a formidable central defence pairing.Derrick Nsibambi 3He replaced Okwi at halftime but barely caused Kenyan defenders any problems.Kizza Mustafa N/AReplaced Moses Waiswa. Didn’t make much impact in the game.Ibrahim Orit N/AReplaced Joseph Ochaya. Erick Ouma however dealt with him easily.Yunus Sentamu N/AWas a late change in the game. Didn’t make much impact.
