Kenya vs Angola: VAR Drama as Harambee Stars Battle Sable Antelopes to Stalemate

Kenya was rescued by the video assistant referee twice as the epic match against Angola ended 1-1.

Harambee Stars held Angola to a 1-1 draw in their second match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani on Thursday night.

Angola took an early lead through Joaquim Paciencia in the seventh minute but Austin Odhiambo equalised through a penalty in the 12th minute, with the scores remaining the same until the last minute.

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Harambee Stars vs Angola: First Half Action

In the first five minutes, Angola had the most control of the game, with their swift passes that almost found the back of the net, but Bryne Omondi was alert.

Another strike from Victor Pedro almost penetrated through Harambee Stars' defence, but a quick stop from Alphonse Omija saved the day. Deivi Miguel also missed a chance, but Angola had no intention of stopping at that.

In the sixth minute, Joaquim Paciencia finally found the back of the net following a tactical strike that passed Bryne Omondi in a flash of a second.

Harambee Stars had to restrategise and think quickly, and as Austin Odhiambo almost penetrated Angola's now seemingly untouchable defence, he was fouled.

Austin Odhiambo would then take a penalty and equalised, the scores now reading 1-1 going into the 12th minute. This was a clear sign that the match was just getting started.

Harambee Stars vs Angola: Marvin Nabwire Shown Red Card

Aboud Omar then had a bad tackle against Alberto Miguel, but his strike was not enough to secure another goal in the bag.

Just after that, goalkeeper Bryne Omondi delayed defence, allowing an Angolan player to exert pressure, forcing Marvin Nabwire into a reckless challenge.

After a VAR review, the Kenya Police FC midfielder was shown a direct red card by the referee, Ali Sadou.

Angola continued exerting pressure on Harambee Stars, penetrating through their defence with ease as Benni McCarthy's boys also worked around the clock to ensure no other ball found the back of the net.

Albert Miguel made a long strike in the 35th minute, but Bryne Omondi was on his radar as he made a quick save. However, Agola continued dominating, with Miguel making another attempt, but his shot was wide of the mark.

Just before half-time, Boniface Muchiri made a swift pass to Gor Mahia's attacking midfielder, Austin Odhiambo, who miscalculated his moves and failed to capitalise on that moment to score.

Harambee Stars vs Angola: Second Half Action

Coming in for the second half, Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy took off Boniface Muchiri as defender Mike Kibwage came in from the bench.

Benni McCarthy was now playing with five defenders, with his sole goal to prevent the strong Angolan defence from penetrating but the Palancas Negras were unstoppable.

A few minutes into the second half, Bryne Omondi pulled off a point-blank save that caused him an injury, but he bounced back in no time as the match intensified.

Melo Alfonso tried to cross in, but Daniel Sakari cut out the shot for an Angolan corner. Alberto Miguel took the corner but his efforts were not enough to give Angola the lead, with the game heading into the 59th minute. Angola's coach Pedro Goncalves then made some changes, introducing Joao Manha.

Benni McCarthy then withdrew Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Chris Onyango as he brought on Chrispine Erambo Otieno and Ryan Ogam in the 62nd minute.

As the match intensified, Daniel Sakari missed a shot from way out, which missed the target by a few inches. Shortly after, Chrispine Erambo would then make a long shot that missed the back of the net but resulted in a corner, which Daniel Sakari took, but it was not enough to place Harambee Stars in the lead.

Benni McCarthy then made other changes, bringing in Ben Stanley Omondi and Kevin Okumu in place of Daniel Sakari and Edward Omondi Otieno.

Angola threw on Vanilson Tita Zeu in the 84th minute as they attempted to chase a late goal. Sylvester Owino then hit the side net in an attempt to score after being set up nicely through a corner.

Angola intensified their style of play, terrorising Benni McCarthy's men, who were also pushing hard to ensure they do not concede a goal in the final minutes of the game.

The fourth official, Ousmane Diakate, lifted the board to show an additional six minutes into the match that was now getting interesting with every side working hard to score.

Angola believed they had clinched a last-gasp winner in stoppage time when Kaporal pounced on a rebound, but VAR intervened and ruled the goal out for offside in a tense finale.

At the final whistle, the Kenyan bench erupted with a mix of relief and jubilation, fully aware of the importance of securing a hard-earned point under such dramatic conditions.

Harambee Stars began their campaign with a win over DR Congo, thanks to Austin Odhiambo, who scored the sole goal just before half-time. Now, they are on top of the table with four points as they await a heavy clash against two-time champions Morocco on Sunday.