Migne marks Stars debut in Swaziland defeat

Head coach Sebastian Migne’s marked his managerial debut on a losing note as Harambee Stars went down 1-0 to Swaziland in Friday’s friendly at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Barry Steenkamp guided Felix Bendenhorst’s cross into the net for the all-important goal in the 78th minute as the hosts endured a dull afternoon.

Migne will have his chance for a quick fix on Monday when the Stars entertain Equatorial Guinea at the same during their second and final friendly before heading to the Four-Nation tournament in India.

“When you play your first match you hope to win so I’m obviously disappointed. We played well in the first one hour but after that we forgot what we needed to do on the pitch; maybe it’s because we got tired.

“Before the last 15 minutes we weren’t so bad defensively but we went to sleep just once and got punished for it. We must not forget this was a squad with only local-based players most of whom haven’t played at the top level but that is not an excuse,” Migne said post-match.

The first chance of the match fell to Stars but Ovellah Ochieng’ failed to put it away, rushing to take his shot and ended up blasting it wide instead.

Steenkamp then put the hosts on alert after dribbling past a few bodies before getting a effort away Jockins Atudo who skippered the team on the day blocked the shot.

It ended all square at the break with Migne introducing Wazito FC striker Pistone Mutamba for Tusker FC’s Philemon Otieno straight after the interval.

The change made little impact as Stars continue to lack the much-needed cutting edge as Whyvonne Isuza – who has been subject to transfer speculation this week – made way for Humphrey Mieno in the midfield.

The visitors finally got their chance late-on and Steenkamp took it with aplomb, chesting down a cross from the right before slotting it past Boniface Oluoch.