Harambee Stars Play Exciting Draw With Estonia But Suffer Shootout Heartbreak in FIFA Series

Harambee Stars played out a 1-1 draw in their FIFA Series opening match against Estonia at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday.

However, Benni McCarthy's men lost 5-4 on post-match penalties and will now play the third place playoff against either Rwanda or Grenada and not for the trophy.

Kenya started the contest slowly and got punished for their sluggishness although they improved in the second half to score the equalising goal.

McCarthy’s decision to start Tranmere Rovers midfielder Zech Obiero paid off as the debutant made an impact when he set up Ryan Ogam for the equaliser just six minutes after the break to cancel Tanel Tammik’s early goal.

Kenya’s slow start allowed Estonia room into their box with Michael Schjonning-Larsen troubling Ronney Onyango before a curling effort that sailed over the bar.

Estonia’s Mattias Mannilaan would have a shout for a penalty shortly after when Frank Odhiambo brought him down in the box but the referee would have none of it.

However, in the 20th minute, the Estonians found the breakthrough via a set-piece. From a corner, Kevor Palumets curled in a beautiful ball that saw Tammik jump highest to win a free header as the Kenyan defenders went to sleep.

That was their only moment of note from then on before Kenya got a glorious opportunity to equalise when Job Ochieng broke free and fired a low shot that the Estonia goalkeeper kept out.

Soon after, Ochieng went down after a challenge which left him worse, forcing McCarthy into early changes as the Real Sociedad winger was taken off after 41 minutes for Gor Mahia youngster Ben Stanley Omondi.

On the stroke of halftime, Ogam broke from the Estonia defenders and fired a ferocious shot that was punched out by the goalkeeper as halftime arrived when the European side were leading 1-0.

However, upon resumption, it took Kenya six minutes to find the equalising goal. A next exchange of passes from Harambee Stars players, who were now enjoying the lion’s share of possession, saw Obiero thread a defence-splitting pass to Ogam and the striker fired first-time past the goalkeeper for 1-1.

Kenya would up the tempo of the game with full-backs, especially captain Abud Omar, given license to go forward, and there were further opportunities to go ahead.

Obiero first fired just over the bar from a curling shot while Ogam had his great shot kept out by the Estonia goalkeeper’s outstretched leg.

In the 83rd minute, Kenya missed a chance to score the second goal when Ben Stanley, who was picked out with a good ball on the right wing, laid it on the plate for substitute Lawrence Okoth, but the young striker somehow failed to find the target when his shot from inside the box went just inches wide.

With nothing to separate the two sides, the game had to go to the penalties to decide which team will take on either Rwanda or Grenada in the final of the four-team tournament on Tuesday.

During the shootouts, both teams were tied 4-4 after the first five but in sudden death, Richard Odada’s attempt to take a Panenka failed to pay off as his effort sailed over the bar to see Estonia move to the final.

Kenya will now play the third-place playoff against whoever will win between Rwanda and Grenada, who will clash in the day’s second match at the same venue.