Johanna winner keeps Stars shining in Mozambique win

Johanna winner keeps Stars shining in Mozambique win

Harambee Stars made it seven matches unbeaten as they struck an early goal to edge Mozambique 1-0 in a friendly match played at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

It was a close contest but Stars always looked the more dangerous taking a deserved lead through midfielder Eric Johanna in the 17th minute.

One goal in 90 minutes was hardly the true reflection of the game in an end-to-end affair that burst to life as early as the first whistle went off.

The visitors rarely threatened in the first half and should have been two goals down in the opening 10 minutes as Jesse Were and Johanna spurned clear-cut chances to hand Stars the advantage.

Sweden-based striker Michael Olunga created the first chance for the home side, beating left back Zeinadine Junior to an aerial ball before squaring the ball to an on-rushing Were but the Zesco United forward spilled his shot wide.

Moments later, a neat cross from winger Clifton Miheso – who plays for South African Premier Soccer League side Golden Arrows – fell to Were but the his first-time finish was punched back into play by Mozambique custodian Jose Guirrego.

The rebound fell to Johanna but Guirrego got up quickly to thwart a tame effort from the Mathare United midfielder.

The hosts came knocking just three minutes later with Captain Victor Wanyama skying a fierce shot from outside the box after a couple of blocked attempts as the Mambas continued to survive the siege.

Miheso was instrumental in the eventual winner when he broke free of his marker and curved in a beautifully weighted cross. It went beyond Guirrego and his defence with Johanna placed in the right place at the right time to fire into the top corner.

The visitors’ first chance fell to Absou Manjate but the striker headed wide from a free-kick five minutes after the hosts nosed ahead.

At the half hour mark, Olunga – completely marked out of the game – put in a shift of defensive work for the Stars, heading clear from Elias Pelembe’s free-kick as the visitors desperately tried to find an opening.

It was only his second meaningful contribution of the first half with the opposition defence swarming him out of the ball every time his teammates picked him out.

The pairing between Miheso and Gor Mahia sensation Eric Ouma was proving efficient as the two wreaked havoc down the left wing, and were both involved in a slick one-two that got home fans out of their seats in excitement.

Ouma initiated the move, passing to Miheso who quickly returned the favour. Ouma then rolled the ball onto the feet of Miheso before storming downfield, calling back for the  ball but his delivery to the box was wasted.

Defender Anthony Akumu attempted a shot from range but it sailed above the crossbar.

Stars took their 1-0 advantage into the break and nearly made it two after only 15 minutes into the second half.

Johanna teed up Were with a nice pass but the former failed to find the target with his shot.

The home side looked a little subdued in the second half but the defence remained flawless with Posta Rangers skipper Jockins Atudo impassable at right back.

Greece-based winger Paul Were – introduced in the place of Miheso – brought more attacking force for Stanley Okumbi’s charges but a second goal was barely in sight.

Struggling to reproduce their first half rhythm, the Stars lived dangerously with only a one-goal cushion and were almost pegged back as Joas Mussica’s glancing header beat goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch but missed the target.

Olunga spurned the chance to put the tie to bed in the dying minutes of the match, heading over from Ouma’s clever cross.

It was the first of two friendly matches lined up for the Stars who are set to play Liberia on Tuesday at the same venue.

Tags:

Mozambique Michael Olunga Harambee Stars Victor Wanyama Eric Ouma Eric Johanna Stars Jesse Were

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