The Kenya national football team, the Harambee Stars, fought back from 2-0 down in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia. Benni McCarthy was taking charge of his first match as Harambee Stars coach. The point leaves Kenya fourth in the group with six points and only one win in five matches.
All six goals came in the second half, after a cagey first half in which Ian Otieno saved a penalty from Musa Barrow to go in level at the break. No one saw the chaos that was coming in the second half but we sure did enjoy it. Goals from Michael Olunga and a stunning Mohammed Bajaber strike had brought us level before Gambia took the lead again though Musa Barrow. We needed a last-minute equalizer from Willliam Lenkupae after the ball dropped kindly for him in the box.
So what did we learn from Benni McCarthy’s first game in charge of the Harambee Stars?
1. Mohammed Bajaber- the new Star Boy in town
The biggest talking point from yesterday is Kenya might have just found a solution to our problem on the wings. Bajaber, who recently earned a big money move to Kenya Police FC in the KPL, fully took his chance and left all of us in awe.
On as a sub, Bajaber drove with the ball near the penalty box before curling a shot into the top right corner via the bar. A goal that will be on repeat for many Kenyan football fans. His decision making with the ball also stood out, he always seemed to make the right pass. Benni McCarthy will be hoping he has found a gem in Mohammed Bajaber.
2.Benni McCarthy’s subs made the difference
Yesterday’s result in part was due to McCarthy’s boldness with his substitutions. Jonah Anguya, William Wilson Lenkupae, Mohammed Bajaber and Masoud Juma brought drive and excitement after a dull first half. The coach went for it and was rewarded.
McCarthy’s boldness will bold well with Kenyans, who are not used to their team scoring 3 goals away from home in a World Cup qualifier. The coach was positive and did what was required to win a point.
3. Top perfomances by Marcelo and Rooney Onyango
While the forwards will get their praise, I cannot fail to mention just how good our fullbacks were yesterday. Eric Marcelo Ouma was at fault for the third goal but otherwise he put in a near perfect display against Premier League forward Yankuba Minteh. The left back got the better of his man multiple times proving his importance to this Harambee Stars side.
Rooney Onyango should have had at least two assists yesterday. His delivery for Michael Olunga in the first half should have been met with a much better finish while Masoud Juma did well to put his header on target. Rooney has real quality and may have made that right back spot his own but he can also play further forward as Engin Firat used to play him.
4.Midfield and Defence a work in progress
It’s never a good sign when you concede 3 goals away from home and sub a midfielder off at half time. I likened our midfield to a Partey-Rice-Merino combination that Arsenal fans dread where you play similar players in your midfield and get zero creativity in the team.
That’s what happened in the first half. The second half was akin to a basketball game so we didn’t learn much. Lots of transitions and either side could have scored.
5.Tactics
Benni setup in a 4-3-3 with Odada as the furthest midfielder in the first half. We struggled and he switched to a 4-4-2 with Jonah Ayunga upfront and Michael Olunga behind him as we rallied back for the point.
What I did notice was the popular 3-2-5 shape with the ball in the first half that many European football clubs employ in possession. Benni was keen to get his fullbacks high and get men between the lines usually Avire and Eric Johanna with Olunga playing on the shoulder of the defenders. Anthony Akumu anchoring the midfield was decent as always.
Ismael Gonzalez dropped between the Centre backs in a quarterback role but he really struggled to dictate tempo. It’s a modern approach that will certainly look better once McCarthy identifies his best 11. Johnstone Omurwa and Joseph Okumu have to come in at some point as they offer us great vision with the ball and can help out in ball progression from the back.
There were encouraging signs but the real pressure comes on Sunday against Gabon at Nyayo International stadium in Nairobi. Score 3 goals like yesterday and Benni McCarthy will quickly become a fan favourite.
