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After picking up the first win in the Four-Nations tournament, Pulse Sports ranks how the players performed.
Despite travelling late to Mauritius, Harambee Stars managed to beat Pakistan in their first match of the tournament on Wednesday.
Moses Shummah produced a top performance as he earned his maiden national cap, but how did each player rank in the game?
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16:50 - 14.06.2023
FOOTBALL Debutant Shumah with the only goal as Harambee Stars labour to down Pakistan in Four-Nations tournament opener
Kenya managed a slim win against the Asian side who offered a lot of resistance in the invitational tournament
Bryne Odhiambo 6/10
It was expected that he was going to face a baptism of fire as he made his debut.
However, he was the least involved player on the pitch because of two reasons: in the first half, Pakistan rarely threatened, and the backline was alert to deal with any danger posed.
A clean sheet is all Odhiambo could ask for as he registered the first Harambee Stars cap.
In the second half when the opponents were more threatening than in the first half, he made one great save.
David Ochieng 6/10
Although they were not tested for the better part of the first half, Ochieng, famously known as Cheche, stood firm when called upon.
He was Kenya’s point man when they won free kicks and corners, but none of the balls landed in his way, so he was not given chances to apply his aerial prowess.
He showed a rather solid and promising partnership with Sichenje.
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07:00 - 14.06.2023
FOOTBALL: Muguna reveals why he did not make Harambee Stars squad to Mauritius
The former Gor Mahia captain was axed from Engin Firat's final 23-man squad to Mauritius.
Collins Sichenje 6/10
Although he joined the team hours before the game, Sichenje looked at ease whenever he had the ball. He managed a clean sheet during his first start in defense with Cheche, and his passes were accurate.
Together with Cheche, they registered a clean sheet in what looks like a promising partnership.
Daniel Sakari 6/10
He was caught off guard in the 33rd minute, but Cheche saved the day with a vital clearance.
He looked to have mastered what Engin Firat told him on the training ground. Whenever he had the ball, he looked out for Amos Nondi or turned left and sought Richard Odada’s help.
His distribution was top-notch, and Pakistan struggled to come up with a counter-strategy to push him and Nondi back.
Aboud Omar 4/10
He was not much involved in the first half, as he was capably covered by Eric Ouma.
Omar was replaced in the second half by Abdalla Hassan in the 46th minute.
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19:20 - 13.06.2023
FOOTBALL Full house! Harambee Stars duo join squad in Mauritius
The two senior players completed the squad for the Four Nations Tournament.
Eric Ouma 5/10
He was deployed in an advanced position and caused a number of problems on the Pakistani backline.
Richard Odada 7/10
With Kenya preferring to play mostly on the wing, the midfielder was silent, especially in the first half.
In the second half, he was alive and showed his class as he dominated the midfield battle. He was also impressive when dealing with the Pakistani attacks and moves in midfield.
Teddy Akumu 6/10
He almost scored in the 61st minute when he was picked out in a promising move, but the ball flew over the bar by inches.
He was unlucky not to find the back of the net.
Moses Shummah 8/10
He was probably the star of the day, as he scored on his debut and was Kenya’s point man as Michael Olunga mostly tracked.
Shummah’s moves were great and troubled the Pakistanis in the opening minutes.
After scoring, he was a marked man all through, and after realizing he was marked too much, he moved to the wing and was as hard-working as he was before.
After an impressive outing in his maiden appearance, he was replaced in the 74th minute as Daniel Anyembe came on.
Michael Olunga 6/10
The Al Duhail SC attacker fell back and tracked the ball deep into the midfield.
Overall, he could not shine against Pakistan in a match much was expected of him.
Amos Nondi 5/10
The former Gor Mahia player was restricted at times as he struggled to find a way past the Pakistani fullback.
Together with Sakari, they were caught off guard in the 38th minute, but Kenya survived as Cheche cleared the danger.
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17:32 - 13.06.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Starlets striker Topister Situma leaves Simba Queens
The Kenyan international previously featured for Vihiga Queens.
Abdalla Hassan 3/10
The Bandari forward came on in the 46th minute when he replaced Omar, but his introduction could not help Harambee Stars as the scoreline remained as it was before his introduction.
Clifton Miheso 3/10
He was probably introduced in order to add more tempo in the attacking zone. However, he struggled and could not achieve the intended result.
Daniel Anyembe 3/10
He came on in the second half and had little impact on the game.
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