Stylish Kenya steamroll Mauritius, in round two of Olympic qualifiers

Kenya’s under-23 football team, Emerging Stars, sealed a round- two date of the Africa -Under-23 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which also acts as a qualifier to the 2020 Olympics in emphatic fashion after thumping Mauritius 3-1 in the return match played on Sunday at the Anjalay Stadium in Belle Vue, Mauritius, to cruise through with an 8-1 aggregate win.

The Emerging Stars had on Wednesday beat the islanders 5-0 in the first leg at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and will now meet the aggregate winner between Sudan and Seychelles in round two of the qualifiers.

The aggregate winner at this stage will earn a ticket to round three.

And on Sunday in Mauritius, Pistone Mutamba opened the goal account for Kenya in the 40th minute before Ovella Ochieng widened the advantage, seven minutes after the interval,with a well taken long-range free kick that beat Mauritius keeper Pierre Luc Figaro to hit the right top corner.

Eight minutes later, James Mazembe  hit the back of the net to gift Stars the third goal and dent hopes of the host nation’s comeback.

The hosts however managed to spoil Kenya’s intent of keeping a clean sheet when they pulled one back through a free kick just outside the 18 yard box but it was game over as Kenya marched on to the second round.

Head coach Francis Kimazi made five changes with Timothy Odhiambo, Mike Kibwage, Tobias Otieno, Abdallah Ahmed, and Jafari Owiti — all being handed starts.

Kenya Starting XI

Timothy Odhiambo (GK), Mainge Yusuf, David Owino, Mike Kibwage, Joseph Okumu (C), Tobias Otieno, Ovella Ochieng, Ibrahim Shambi, Pistone Mutamba, Ahmed Abdallah, Owiti Jafari

Substitutes

Brian Bwire (GK), Johnston Omurwa, Lennox Ogutu, James Mazembe, Teddy Osok, Alwyn Tera, Sydney Lokale

Mauritius Starting XI

Pierre Luc Figaro (GK), Pascal Mel Ferre, Neelesh Gukoola, Emmanuel Vincent Jean, James Clevio Sophie, Jean Joenovan Charlot, Jean Anderson Langue, Louis Fernando Jackson, Jean Jacques Patate, David Igory, Mohammad Bilaal Mustafa

Substitutes

Jean Emmanuel Cataperman, Jean Karen Saramandif, Andrien Francois, John Michael Larose, Herbert Gregory Nany, Damion Cliff Wilson, Alex Jason Ferre, Louis Derek Tare