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Hassan Beja, Timothy Ouma and Elly Owande inspire Kenya-U20 to get one over Zimbabwe.
The Kenya U- 20 side Rising Stars tossed aside Zimbabwe U20 3-1 in their first clash of the Malawi Four Nations tournament, and will now be taking on the hosts in their second encounter on Sunday.
The tournament, which is taking place at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, has seen Rising Stars take part in friendlies for the first time, concurrently with the Harambee Stars, with Football Kenya Federation deciding to take a hands-on approach to investing into youth football to strengthen the national pool.
All players did well, as reflected in the final result, but here are matchday ratings on a scale of 1-10 from their first international game in over three years based on how they fared.
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20:23 - 22.03.2024
FOOTBALL Rising Stars prove too good for Zimbabwe in opening clash of Malawi Four Nations tournament
The Kenya U20 side comprehensively thrashed Zimbabwe 3-1 to get their Malawi Four Nations tournament campaign off to a good start.
Issa Emuria -6
Starting ahead of Ibrahim Wanzala in goal, the Ulinzi Stars shot-stopper did not really have much to do, but one might argue he could have done better with the goal he conceded.
He tried to stop the cut back by Morris Musamba to Denzel Mapuwa, but failed to intercept it, leaving the Zimbabwe number seven to riffle it into the top corner of the net.
Would ordinarily have scored higher, but you cannot give him more than that.
Baron Ochieng - 8
Argurably the best defender for Kenya, Ochieng looked solid both in attack and defence, and even provided the second assist for Elly Owande’s second goal.
He did get booked for a clumsy challenge in the second half, but generally held his own well.
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14:00 - 22.03.2024
FOOTBALL Firat optimistic Harambee Stars can overcome African Champions Ivory Coast in June with good preparation
Firat is worried that the lack of FIFA-approved stadia could jeopardize Harambee Stars' campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Junior Masinza - 7
Playing as a left back, the Kakamega Homeboyz defender looked impressive holding the width, and did not really put on a particularly outstanding display, but did well nonetheless.
Junior Masinza - 7
The towering defender showed the level of maturity that showed why he was scouted by Crystal Palace last August. Organised his fellow teammates well.
Manzur Suleiman - 8
Argurably the better of the two center backs, Suleiman played a key role in the build up to the first half with his crisp passing from the back with his left foot.
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12:24 - 22.03.2024
FOOTBALL Where to watch Kenya U20 vs Zibambwe U20 in Malawi's Four Nations Tournament
KBC will be beaming Rising Stars' first clash of the Malawi Four Nations Tournament against Zimbabwe.
Stanley Wilson- 7
The captain for the day, the soon-to-be AIK midfielder dictated the game well and actually even gave some line-breaking passes from deep.
Elly Owande- 10
The star for the day, Owande scored a brace, with exquisite left-footed shots into the back of the net, and generally gave the Zimbabwe left back problems with his pace.
Hassan Beja - 10
The AFC Leopards winger terrorised from the left wing and grabbed himself an assist and a goal. Provided width very well which stretched the Zimbabwe defence and created space for Timothy Ouma and Chris Koloti to dominate the central zones.
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11:42 - 22.03.2024
FOOTBALL FKF breaks silence after Aboud Omar, Eric Johana were axed from Harambee Stars squad
FKF has addressed the exclusion of Aboud Omar and Eric Johana from Harambee Stars for the Four Nations Tournament.
Chris Koloti - 6
Not a particularly good display for the AFC Leopards forward on the afternoonn before he was subbed off for Siphas Owuor.
Timothy Ouma - 9
Another solid display by an attacker as Ouma provided the assist for the third goal and was a handful physically for the opposition.
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07:08 - 21.03.2024
FOOTBALL Nick Mwendwa reveals plan to adopt European youth football structure in Kenya
FKF president Nick Mwendwa has announced plans to implement a full-time youth team naming policy following the naming of the current Rising Stars squad.
Subs
Siphas Owuor- 8
Intelligently contributed to the side’s third goal by Beja with an intelligent off-the-ball run when he got on the end of Ouma’s pass, only to spot he was in an offside position and avoided touching it, allowing Ouma to chase his own pass and cross it for the goal.
Dalphine Omuri - 5
The Shabana forward came in but did not really do much to influence the outcome of the game.
James Murage -N/A
Tyrone Kariuki -N/A
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