Stars Abroad: Harambee Stars forward scores as Bryne head into summer break with derby draw
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 05.07.26. | 10:21
The forward lasted 87 minutes before coach Ørjan Heiberg withdrew him for Sjur Torgersen Jonassen as Bryne searched for a late winner following Sandnes Ulf's equaliser
Harambee Stars forward Alfred Scriven signed off for the OBOS Ligaen summer break in style after finding the back of the net in Bryne's 1-1 draw against local rivals Sandnes Ulf on Saturday.
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The forward lasted 87 minutes before coach Ørjan Heiberg withdrew him for Sjur Torgersen Jonassen as Bryne searched for a late winner following Sandnes Ulf's equaliser.
The Kenyan international opened the scoring in the 56th minute at Bryne Stadion.
It was his third league goal of the season after Bryne's sustained pressure finally paid off.
However, substitute Yann-Erik de Lanlay struck 18 minutes later to earn Sandnes Ulf a share of the spoils.
The result left Bryne 10th on the OBOS Ligaen table with 17 points from 13 matches, four points adrift of the promotion play-off places as the league heads into its summer break.
Scriven's latest strike comes as a timely boost for both club and country, with the 26-year-old continuing to build momentum ahead of a busy second half of the season and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Kenya will return to the continental showpiece on home soil alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The goal also offered a positive response after the Kenyan and strike partner Duarte Moreira came under scrutiny in recent weeks over Bryne's modest return in front of goal during the opening half of the campaign.
Head coach Ørjan Heiberg admitted his side deserved more from the derby after creating enough chances to claim victory and rated Bryne's first half of the season as "OK minus".
He pointed to the steady progress the team has made after a difficult start.
Scriven, who now has three league goals this season, will hope the latest strike marks the beginning of a consistent scoring run as Bryne resumes its push for the promotion places later this month.
For Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, the forward's growing confidence in front of goal will be an encouraging development as Kenya continues preparations for the 2027 AFCON.
With regular minutes and goals often proving vital for international forwards, Scriven's return to scoring could strengthen his case for a bigger role in the national team during the months leading up to the tournament.
Bryne will resume their league campaign after the summer break with an away fixture against Haugesund as they look to close the gap on the promotion play-off positions.