Austin Odhiambo the Hero as Harambee Stars Down DR Congo to begin CHAN 2024 in Fine Fashion

Gor Mahia playmaker Austin Odhiambo scored the only goal of the game as Harambee Stars survived DR Congo’s onslaught to begin CHAN 2024 with a win.

Harambee Stars started their 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) campaign in victorious fashion as Austin Odhiambo’s goal handed them a 1-0 win against against DR Congo at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

With pressure on coach Benni McCarthy and his charges to impress home supporters, the weight of expectations was evident on Harambee Stars as they made a number of basic errors in possession.

McCarthy opted to start with strikers Masoud Juma and Ryan Ogam, with the latter playing on the right wing, but that move gave Kenya plenty of problems in the early exchanges.

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The midfield of Alpha Onyango and Austin Odhiambo also struggled early on as the Congolese easily bypassed them and Kenya did not help themselves with their sloppiness, which handed DR Congo cheap possession.

One such moment almost proved costly as just five minutes in, Aboud Omar lost possession on the edge of the box and Jephte Kitambala took full advantage to score but DRC’s celebrations were short-lived as VAR ruled it out for a foul on Daniel Sakari in the build-up.

How Did Kenya Score the Decisive Goal?

The visitors then kept the pressure with Harambee Stars unable to cope as they could not string passes that found its targets. Sakari was particularly a target for the Congolese as they tormented him and he struggled to keep up, given he was not getting help from Ogam.

However, it is Kenya who got the first chance on goal when Austin Odhiambo found Masoud Juma but the striker missed from close range.

In the 35th minute, David Sakwa had a glorious opportunity for Harambee Stars on the edge of the box but blasted his shot over the bar when he was free from any challenge. Three minutes later, Sakari brought in a delicious cross but Ogam could not connect well with a diving header.

With four minutes added on before halftime, Harambee Stars sent fans at Kasarani Stadium in delirium with a well-worked goal, scored by Odhiambo.

Sakwa started the move on the right sided before a neat exchange of passes between him and Odhiambo and the Gor Mahia playmaker stayed composed, got into the box, before slotting into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

Harambee Stars Survive Second Half Onslaught

However, Kenya nearly threw it away after goalkeeper Bryne Omondi spilt the ball from a corner and a goal-mouth melee ensued, before Harambee Stars cleared their lines.

After the break, DR Congo returned with renewed vigour with winger Ibrahim Matobo tormenting Kenya on the left wing of the Congolese attack. His movements on and off the ball gave Harambee Stars problems as the two-time winners tested Omondi a couple of times with long-range strikes.

In the 66th minute, McCarthy made double substitutions to add impetus into his team with Marvin Nbwire and Boniface Muchiri comining in for Manzur Okwaro and Masoud Juma, altering the tactical setup.

Ogam moved to the No.9 position as Sakwa and Muchiri played on the wing while Nabwire joined Alpha Onyango in central midfield while Odhiambo played in the No.10 position.

McCarthy then introduced Ben Stanley Omondi, Chripine Erambo and Mike Kibwange for Sakwa, Ogam and Onyango and with seven minutes from time, Kenya got an opportunity to kill off the game.

Odhiambo spotted Ben Stanley Omondi on his run, having gotten behind the DR Congo defence, but with the keeper to beat, the Gor Mahia star looped the ball over him but watched agonizingly as it went wide to the disappointment of fans.