STARS ABROAD: Kenyan duo score in England as Mandela features in South Africa

Harambee Stars prospect Micah Obiero was on target for Wealdstone FC as they came from behind to beat Tamworth FC 3–2 in an English National League Round 28 encounter played on Tuesday night at Grosvenor Vale in London.

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Tamworth opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Stefan Mols before Dylan Kadji restored parity for the hosts eight minutes later. The visitors regained the lead in the 35th minute, but Sean Adarkwa struck just before halftime to level matters again for Wealdstone.

Obiero then produced the decisive moment in the 68th minute, finding the back of the net to seal victory for the home side in an entertaining five-goal thriller.

Zak Vyner

Elsewhere in England, Harambee Stars defender Zak Vyner featured in the first half as Wrexham AFC fell to a 2–1 defeat against fellow play-off contenders Hull City.

Vyner started the match but was withdrawn at halftime as Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson reshuffled his side in search of a response.

Hull took the lead in the 40th minute when Joe Gelhardt curled a superb free kick into the top corner. The forward nearly doubled the advantage moments later from the penalty spot, but goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo produced a fine save.

The visitors eventually extended their lead in the 63rd minute through Lewis Koumas, who headed home from close range. Wrexham pulled one back in the 76th minute when Nathan Broadhead calmly finished inside the box after a low cross from Issa Kabore, but the Red Dragons could not find a late equaliser as Hull held on for the win.

McDonald Mariga, the Football Kenya Federation vice president, together with an FKF scouting delegation currently in Europe, attended the match as part of their ongoing efforts to monitor Kenyan players abroad.

After the match, Wrexham manager Parkinson admitted his side paid the price for costly errors.

“In the first half, we made too many mistakes in our own back third with the ball and gave a good team possession in dangerous areas. We also conceded unnecessary free kicks out of frustration.

There were some spells of decent play, especially when we got Longy on the ball, but we lacked consistency and made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes.”

Elliot Matazo & Sammy-Henia Kamau

Still in England, Kenyan forward Sammy-Henia Kamau netted for Hull City U21 to rescue a point in their 2-2 draw against Sheffield United U21 in the English Premier League 2.

Harambee Stars prospect Eliot Matazo was named in the starting line-up but failed to take to the field following a suspected discomfort as he is getting back to speed after a year out with an injury.

Vincent Harper

In England’s League Two, Vincent Harper started and played 79 minutes as his side suffered a third straight defeat, losing 1–0 to Salford City. Fabio Borini scored the decisive goal of the match.

Brian Mandela

Meanwhile in South Africa, Harambee Stars defender Brian Mandela featured for 71 minutes before leaving the pitch through injury as Orbit College FC went down 2–0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a league fixture.