Stars midfielder Akumu praises Congolese player Bolaise
Harambee Stars midfielder Anthony Akumu has singled out Congolese midfielder, Yannick Bolaise, for praise, in the wake of that match up between the two during Tuesday’s international friendly match in Kinshasa.
In the absence of team captain Victor Wanyama, Akumu was instrumental for Stars in defensive midfield during that match that Stars won 1-0.
The game’s only goal was scored by in-form Swedish based striker Micheal Olunga in the 65th minute, following a move that covered the full length of the pitch.
In particular, Akumu seemed to have come out tops in an occasional mouthwatering battle against the speedy Everton star player during the match.
“They (Congo) are a very good side with strong players, in fact you have to think twice before committing to a physical challenge,” Akumu, who plays for top Zambian club Zesco United told Nairobi News.
CELEBRATORY PHOTO
The former Gor Mahia and Al Khartoum midfielder added; “For his size, I was amazed to see how Bolaise is such a fast and skillful player with confidence. Overall though, we are all happy to have kept him at bay and restricted them to only shots from range. It has everything to do with teamwork,”
Akumu was among the Kenyan players who posed for a celebratory photo in the changing room which later made rounds on Twitter.
The victory ended Kenya’s winless run away from home that stretches back more than a decade.
At the same time, Stars are primed to play English Premier League club Hull City in an exhibition contest at the Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium in either June or July 2017.
Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa hinted at this development on Tuesday night – via his official Twitter page.
Next year in that June window a European team will play stars ! Lets keep working. Lets do this !
— Nick Mwendwa (@Nmwendwa) October 4, 2016
Stars are inactive for the next six months having failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and also after failing to progress in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
