MBESUMA STRIKE SINKS KENYA AS ZAMBIA TRIUMPH

Collins Mbesuma scored a winning goal as Zambia beat hosts Kenya 2-1at Nyayo stadium in a 2017 AFCON qualifier

The Harambee Stars got in front as early as the 13th minute when Michael Olunga capitalized on poor defending from the Chipolopolo backline to poke home from a long pass from left back Dennis Odhiambo.

At this moment, Kenya were in full control of proceedings with Ayub Timbe and Paul Were the main architects whilst skipper Rainford Kalaba looked fantastic for the visitors.

The hosts suffered a big blow in the 27th minute when Were pulled a hamstring midway the first half forcing Bobby Williamson to replace him with Noah Wafula.

Less than a minute later, Winston Kalengo made it 1-1 with a beauty of a strike inside the area controlling a Collins Mbesuma ball before turning after Kenya centre backs were caught off guard.

With time ticking towards half time, Kalengo and Mbesuma combined again with the latter netting Zambia’s second after squeezing his shot inside the post to end the first half with Zambia 2-1 up.

In the second half, it was Kenya pushing for equalizer with Olunga and Timbe threatening but Mweene and his backline were effective every time something was thrown at them.

Not even substitutes Allan Wanga and Johanna Omollo who came on for Oliech and Collins Okoth respectively could change the score line.

This leaves Zambia and Congo tied at the top in group E with four points while Kenya are 3rd in group E.

Elsewhere, Lesotho lost 3-1 to Algeria, Mauritius beat Mozambique 1-0, Guinea and Zimbabwe played to a one all draw; Angola fired blanks against Madagascar while Swaziland drew 2-2 with Malawi

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