Stars Abroad: Kenyan players register mixed results

Several players with Kenyan roots were in action across different leagues on Saturday and the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Victor Wanyama - Montreal CF

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama was introduced in the 77th minute as Montreal CF hammered Dallas 2-1 in a Major Soccer League match staged on Sunday morning to continue with their good start to the campaign.

Wanyama came in for Canadian midfielder and Montreal captain Samuel Peitte in a tactical change from coach Laurent Courtois with his side already in the control seat.

The Eastern Conference league side got the match underway through Jules Anthony Vilsaint in the 20th minute but Petar Musa leveled matters towards the end of the first stanza before legendary Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez sealed all three points with a 60th-minute strike.

The win leaves Montreal third on the Eastern Conference log with 4 points after two games while they occupy eighth place on the overall MLS standings, three points behind leaders Inter Miami.

Vincent Harper – Exeter

Harambee Stars defender Vincent Harper was substituted in the 60th minute with an injury scare on Saturday as his side Exeter fell to Peterborough in an EFL League one clash.

The left-back had started making inroads into Gary Caldwell's squad after sitting out for the better part of December 2023.

Harper's injury, however, is not thought to be too serious, as he should still be in contention for future games.

Ephron Mason-Clark and Kwame Poku scored for Peterborough while Tom Caroll's earlier equalizer served as a consolation for Exeter who now occupies 15th place on the twenty-four-team table with 40 points.

Eric Johana Omondi -UTA Arad

Harambee Stars midfielder Eric Johanna Omondi came on as a halftime substitute to stabilize his side UTA Arad as they battled to a 3-2 win over FCU Craiova in the Romanian Superliga on Saturday evening.

Omondi, who has scored two goals and regisered four assists to his name was introduced in the 46th minute replacing Marcelo Freitas with scores tied at 2-2 following a goal-feast opening half.

Former Chaves midfielder Joao Pedro opened the scoring for UTA with 13 minutes on the clock but the lead did not last longer as Juan Bauza leveled matters before Claudiu Micovshi restored UTA’s lead in the 28th minute only for Andrei Dragu to score deep in the first half restoring parity. Andrej Fabry scored a 63rd-minute penalty after a minute-long VAR review to hand UTA all three points.

UTA is currently seventh with 40 points and in the promotion playoffs spot.

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Nabi Kibunguchy – Orlando City

Kenyan defender Nabi Kibunguchy followed the proceedings from the bench as Messi-Suarez's partnership in the Inter Miami strike force tore apart Orlando 5-0 in league action on Sunday morning.

Kibunguchy who earned his Harambee Stars debut last year is yet to feature for the Major League Soccer side this term. Kenyan-born Somalia international Abdi Salim also watched from the bench.

Brian Mandela- Mamelodi Sundowns

Kenyan international Brian Mandela watched from the bench as Peter Shalulile 38th minute strike propelled Mamelodi Sundowns to the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League as group winners after overpowering a dominant TP Mazembe side.

Jesse Were and Ian Otieno - Zesco United

The Kenyan duo of Jesse Were and Ian Otieno represented Zesco United in a Zambia Super League match that ended in a 1-1 draw against Green Eagles. Ian featured for the entire 90 minutes, whereas Jesse joined the game as a substitute in the 77th minute.

Vincent Oburu- Napsa Stars

Former AFC Leopards midfielder Vincent Oburu was in action for his side Napsa Stars as they fell to Red Arrows on Saturday evening in a Zambia Super League match. Oburu was replaced in the 66th minute with Evans Kayombo taking his place. The loss leaves Napsa a point above the drop zone.

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