Olunga suffers first loss of the season with Al Duhail while Omurwa features in Estrela’s draw with Chaves

© Michael Olunga

STARS ABROAD: Olunga suffers first loss of the season with Al Duhail while Omurwa features in Estrela’s draw with Chaves

Mark Kinyanjui 09:00 - 25.09.2023

Olunga could not do much to help Al Duhail avoid defeat, while Johstone Omurwa had a cameo appearance to forget for Portuguese outfit Estrela Amaradora.

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga unusually came off the bench but could not help make a difference as Al Duhail lost 3-2 to Al Gharafa in a Qatari Stars league clash played on Sunday.

Olunga was subbed on in the 82nd minute, but did not have enough time to change the outcome of the match, as he only touched the ball five times, but he did manage to get a shot on target in the few minutes he was on the pitch.

Al Duhail opened the scoring through Mohammed Muntari in the 41st minute, and took the lead into the break.

‘In the second half, all hell broke loose for the defending champions as Yacine Brahimi restored parity for the hosts.

Yohane Boli put the hosts into the lead in the 76th minute, leaving Al Duhail with plenty to do.

Almoez Alli would restore parity in the 90th minute from the penalty spot, but in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Brahimi would net what proved to be the winning goal for Al Gharafa.

In Portugal, Johstone Omurwa came on as a substitute as well as Estrela Amaradola came out drawig  2-2 with Chaves

Omurwa, who was subbed on at half time in their loss to Porto, was subbed on in the 85th minute.

He played a part in Chaves’ first goal, failing to clear the ball well which led to the hosts fight to force the draw.

Leo Cordeiro put Estrela into the lead just before half time.He added a second in the 70th minute, and it left the side looking like they had registered their second win of the season.

However, just after Omurwa got subbed on, Chaves reduced the deficit to one goal through Hector Hernandez. 

Estrela could not hold their nerve, and in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Pedro Pinho rescued a point for the hosts.