Harambee Stars earn creditable draw in Turkey

Africa Cup of Nations 2027 Co-host Kenya fought off a late Russian surge to earn a well-deserved 2-2 draw away in Antalya, Turkey. Despite Russia's issues with FIFA due to the war in Ukraine, they still rank as high profile opponents for the Harambee Stars. Getting a result away from home is encouraging for the team as World Cup 2026 qualifiers near.

 

Engin Firat's boys thought they had done enough for the win but Ivan Oblyakov salvaged a draw for Russia in the 89th minute after a well worked team goal. A frustrating end to the game for Kenya as we had restricted the Russians to meagre chances in front of goal. 

Many fans and pundits on both sides had questioned the competitiveness of such a fixture. Some in Kenya thought why would we play a country that is under a football embargo from FIFA knowing well enough the result would not help our FIFA ranking? Others welcomed it giving credit to the federation for getting the team high profile matches this year against Russia, Iran and Qatar. 

On the flip side some couldn't hide their contempt towards the fixture. Yaya Toure's former agent Dimitri Seluk commented, " Firefighters from Belarus are better opponents for Russia than Kenya." Well Mr. Seluk those " firefighters " made Russia sweat for a draw in their backyard. Banter aside the game was action packed, especially the first half. 

Russia started full of gusto. They vehemently pressed Harambee Stars causing all sorts of problems for Kenya at the back. A mistake was inevitable. And it proved true. Johnston Omurwa's sloppy pass was intercepted and Aleksandr Sobolev opened the scoring with a cool finish past Bryne Odhiambo. This would prove to be Omurwa's only fault in the game because besides that error his play was superb. 

Harambee Stars weathered the early storm by mainly going long . Omurwa and Joseph Okumu's passing range enabled us bypass the Russian press. The balls were either aimed at the wide men, especially Rooney Onyango, who had a solid debut for the national team, or through the channels for Michael Olunga to run after.

Antony Teddy Akumu equalized for Harambee Stars in the 16th minute. He did a pickpocket job on the Russian defender when they were trying to play out from the back. His pass to Olunga was blocked but he made no mistake when given a second chance. 1-1 game on! Masoud Juma gave us the lead in the 36th minute. Yet another defensive mistake , a fortuitous goal but it was well taken by the striker. 

Richard Odada yet again had another superb game and should have crowned it off with an assist. His defense splitting pass put captain Michael Olunga through on goal with only the keeper to beat. The skipper however, pulled his effort wide much to the annoyance of Kenyan football fans. Olunga has become notorious for missing crucial opportunities during the game and he seemed to continue with this worrying trend. 

Olunga had another chance in the 45+4 minute when he was unmarked in the box but could only direct his header straight at Illya Pomazun in goal. Another chance would go begging six minutes after halftime when he won the ball off a defender but could only shoot wide under pressure with only the keeper to beat.

What is worrying about Olunga is the type of chances he is missing.  Three one vs one chances missed in his past two games for the Harambee Stars all at crucial stages of the game. Each missed chances increase the rife belief that popular KPL striker Benson Omalla should be in the National team. Our hopes for any Continental football rest on a fit and firing Michael Olunga.

Positives

Harambee Stars are responding to Engin Firat's tactics. This I believe was the most impressive aspect on display. The seamless shift from a back four with the ball, to a back five without the ball was pleasing to see. How each player understood his role. The patterns of play , there was a plan behind alot of what Harambee Stars we trying to do. 

The football is easy on the eye. It's not tiki taka but it's football with a purpose. There was a moment in the first half when Harambee Stars put together 20 or so passes from their own half shifting it to the other side of the pitch beautifully leaving the Russians sprawling to get back in numbers. As football fans, those are the kind of ideas we yearn for. A team well coached with a plan. 

The team still has a lot of areas to improve, such as individual mistakes and chance creation. Joseph Okumu gave away a goal against S. Sudan and Omurwa did the same here. The pair are excellent ball players but need to sharpen their concentration. Upfront there is still a problem with creating chances. The lack of proper wingers is a major issue. Rooney Onyango had a solid debut and contributed effectively.

Kenya's next assignment is a world cup qualifier away to Gabon in November. The friendlies have been competitive enough for Firat to form the backbone of his team and get his ideas across. The qualifiers will be the true measure of Firat's work with the Harambee Stars.