Kenya U-23 whips Botswana, but exit Rio qualifiers
It was a case of so near yet impossibly far for the national U-23 football team exited the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers despite beating Botswana 4-1 at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
The visiting team which won the first leg 3-0 a fortnight ago progressed to the next phase of the competition on the away goal rule.
It was a nail biting and entertaining match, but striker Omaatla Kebatho’s first half goal complicated the home’s chances of turning around the tie.
Lanky striker Michael Olunga, who missed the first leg match for personal reasons, struck a hattrick with John Njoroge adding to the four-goal tally that was only one too shy of a next round qualification.
“Conceding that goal made things difficult and it is sad how we have been knocked out,” said a disappointed Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson.
The Kenyan lads begun the match on a high tempo with Olunga and Victor Ndinya all over the Zebra’s territory.
Olunga missed a header while Ndinya also failed to beat the Botswana goalkeeper on a one-on-one situation in the opening ten minutes.
Stars’ much-sought goal came in the 17th minute when Olunga struck a left footer from Jackson Macharia’s timely cross.
PACE AND URGENCY
However, Kenya’s lead was short-lived as Botswana drew level three minutes later from a wonderful setpiece completed by Kebatho. Kebatho had scored the first goal during Stars’ 3-0 loss in Lobatse a fortnight ago.
Olunga yet again gave Stars the advantage in the 33rd minute when he connected Collins Shivachi’s incoming cross.
After the break, Williamson introduced John Njoroge in place of John Ndirangu, a move which injected pace and a sense of urgency in the match.
Thika United forward Vincent Omumbo found the back of the net in the 55th minute much to the delight of the few spectators, but his effort was ruled offside by the Rwandan referee.
Njoroge then got the fans back on their feet 22 minutes later with a beauty of a goal scored from outside the 18-yard area.
Olunga would then complete his hat trick in the final minute of regular time by punishing a sloppy mistake from the Botswana custodian.
The six minutes of added time were played a frantic pace as Stars gave a final push for a goal that would have seen them through, but to no avail.