South Sudan embarrasses Harambee Stars in Nairobi

A first half strike by Kenya Police FC forward Tito Okello handed South Sudan a hard-fought 1-0 win over Harambee Stars in a international friendly match played at the Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday 12 September.

Okello, struck barely two minutes into the game to hand to South Sudan their first ever win over Kenya as well as a consolation following their 4-0 drubbing in the hands of Mali in the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game played last weekend.

Despite thousands of fans sparing time and filling the facility to back Harambee Stars, it wad the visiting side that carried the day, interestingly courtesy of a Kenyan-based player.

Bright Stars attacking midfielder Paul Jawa couldn't hide his joy after seeing his side beat Kenya in front of their fans.

"We are happy for the win, we worked for it.We needed it after losing our last AFCON qualifier game against Mali," said the Rainbow player.

Okello gave the visitors the lead in the second minute of the game, capitalising on a mistake by Joseph Okumu to slot the ball past Bryne Omondi.

The forward reaped the fruits of his pressing as he put Okumu who had an option of passing the ball to his custodian under pressure, before winning possession and beating the well exposed Omondi.

Kenya's first and real threat at the South Sudanese goal came in the 13th minute under the feet of Richard Odada who collected the ball on the edge of the box and fired via his left foot but the shot was deflected for a corner.

Kenneth Muguna would have given Kenya the lead in the 23rd minute after finding himself in a 1v1 against the South Sudanese goalkeeper but the Police midfielder could not beat Majak Malik whose stretched arms tipped the ball for the third corner for the hosts.

Four minutes later, centre back Brian Mandela rose high unchallenged but failed to head home a corner delivered by Muguna much to the disappointment of the thousands of fans who showed up dor the game.

The growing attacks in the South Sudan box were slowed for a moment in the 33rd minute when Masoud Juma went down holding his calf after suffering a knock.

The forward would be stretchered off only to return after receiving medical attention from the sidelines even when the substitutes were warming up.

Peter Maker and Rashid Toha went into the referee's book for a challenges on Michael Olunga and Muguna respectively.

Stars attempted to breach the South Sudan defence late the half but the Bright Stars backmen worked their socks off to see their team hold on the slim advantage going to the breather.

Second half

South Sudan looked more compact after resumption from the half time break as they dealt with the attacks with more ease especially the aerial balls.

The best chance fell on the path of Olunga in the 64th minute when a volley from the midfield put him through on goal but his decision to round up the onrushing goalkeeper saw him caught up by the retreating defenders and lost possession before he could pull the trigger.

Coach Engin Firat threw in fresh legs in the second half hoping to poke holes in the visitors' defence but there was no easy passage for the Kenyan boys given the solid defence mounted by the Bright Stars.

Stars demonstrated more hunger for the equalizer especially after fourth official Josephine Wanjiku signalled for seven extra minutes to be played.

Scores of long balls were launched to the Bright Stars area but none could escape past Majak who made a couple of decent saves to deny the Kenyan boys.

Harambee Stars

Bryne Omondi, Brian Mandela, Daniel Anyembe, Joseph Okumu, Erick Ouma, Richard Odada,Anthony Akumu(Moses Shumah), Elvis Rupia(Amos Nondi 47) Masud Juma (Clarke Oduor 58, TimothyOuma), Michael Olunga, Kenneth Muguna(Duke Abuya 58)

Unused substitutes

Patrick Matasi, Ian Otieno, Collins Sichenje, Abud Omar,Alfred Scriven, Stanley Wilson

Malian outcast becomes one of the leaders for new Tottenham Hotspur

South Sudan

Majak Malik, Peter Maker, Rashid Toha, Joseph Manase, Yuel Kuach(Jackson Dwang 71), Maunyumow Achol, Peter Chol, Tito Okello (Paul Jawa),Chol Riak (Innocent Jimmy),Joseph Dhata, Christopher Mawa(Ivan Wani 46)

Unused substitutes

Luka Anyama,Marion Taban, Novera Yoseke, Peter Makoi,Emmanuel Loki,Samuel Taban, , David Sebit, Shedrack Kenyi