Harambee Stars finished the current FIFA International break with no win after being held to a goalless draw by Rwanda in a friendly match staged at the Amohoro Stadium on Monday evening.
Rwanda came into the match on the back of an impressive start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, having beaten Cape Verde and Liberia in their opening two matches. Kenya, meanwhile, were still searching for their first win after losing to Guinea and drawing with Eritrea.
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It was therefore no surprise to see the hosts start on the front foot, with Jojea Hosea testing Faruk Shikhalo, who was making his seventh appearance for Harambee Stars, in goal.
Kenya’s defence was called into action again when captain Abud Omar was forced to head the ball out for a corner following a dangerous delivery from Kevin Muhire on the left flank. From the resulting corner, Mike Kibwage did well to block a goal-bound header from Innocent Nshuti, who was captaining Rwanda on the evening.
Stars gradually grew into the contest after the quarter-hour mark. Ryan Ogam played Marvin Nabwire through on goal, but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside with the Power Dynamos midfielder through on goal.
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Another defensive mix-up between goalkeeper Adolphe Hakizimana and Elie Tato Iradukunda then presented Ogam with an opportunity, but his low effort was blocked as the hosts recovered to clear the danger.
Kenya’s final notable chance of the half fell to Manzur Okwaro, whose mazy run ended with a powerful effort. Hakizimana could only punch the shot into Ogam’s path, but the Belgian-based striker fired his follow-up wide.
The second half was more of managing the game from both set of coaches with the hosts making the first move by introducing three new players just after the interval. Stars coach Benni McCarthy was to later introduces the likes of Ben Stanley, Frank Odhiambo, Mohamed Bajaber and Rooney Onyango.
The major talking point in the last 45 minutes would however be on defender Abud Omar who was stretched off in what would be a worry for his club Tusker FC as they work on navigating a season that promises to be busy with less recovery days for players.
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