Stars Abroad: Wanyama earns rare start as Babu shines in Sweden

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama started for CF Montreal as they played to a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps in a Major League Soccer (MLS) game on Sunday morning at Saputo Stadium.

This was a rare start for the midfield enforcer in a season where he has mostly been an impact player off the bench. He lasted 61 minutes before being replaced by Duke Bryce.

Montreal will feel they should have picked up more than just one point from the duel, as they had most of the ball, especially in the second half, where they dominated more and created most of the chances, although they had fewer shots on target than the visitors.

Brian White put Montreal ahead in the 29th minute after being set up by Fafa Picault. They took a narrow lead into the break. In the 62nd minute, Montreal made changes, taking off two players, including Wanyama. Bryce and Matias Coccaro were introduced, and it was the latter who would draw his side level with a 79th-minute equalizer to earn Montreal a point.

Montreal jumped to 11th on the table with 23 points after 22 rounds of league matches. Next for them is an away game against Atlanta United on Sunday, July 14.

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The result left coach Laurent Courtois a little frustrated, saying his side chose not to do well in the first half before coming out all guns blazing in the second stanza of the game.

“Sometimes it’s as if the guys pick one half where we’re not lacking and the other where we play well, but I have faith that we can apply ourselves and start every half the same way," the coach said in his post-match interview. “If we can get into the half still at 0-0, then we’re in a great position to be positive.”

In Sweden, Timothy 'Babu' Ouma played for 90 minutes and put in a good shift as his club IF Elfsborg beat Brommapojkarna 3-0 in a Swedish top-tier match. Michael Baidoo was the star of the game, scoring three times, while Simon Hedlund scored the other goal.

The result lifted Ouma’s side to seventh on the log with 17 points after 14 rounds of league matches. Their next game is a Europa League qualifier against Paphos of Cyprus at home.

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