Impressive Kenya go down on penalties against Estonia

The Kenya national team lost their opening fixture of the FIFA Series after going down 4-5 on penalties against Estonia in Rwanda on Friday following a 1-1 draw.

After a 1-1 draw in normal time, the game went straight into penalties. Kenya scored their opener through Austin Odhiambo, before Richard Odada missed his effort. Lawrence Ouma, Erastus Erambo, and Ben Omondi found the back of the net before substitute Mohammed Bajaber missed.

The first half started on a slow pace with both teams still sizing each other, with little happening. Kenya starts the match maintaining possession, trying to create opportunities in attack, but without success.

With only 10 minutes played, Kenya continued to press high up the pitch and they managed to maintain ball possession, but without creating any clear-cut chance. Estonia, on the other hand, seemed comfortable starting the game defensively.

However, it was Estonia who took the lead against the run of play. A move initiated from the right wing ended up giving Estonia their first corner of the game. Kristo Hussar delivered the resultant corner-kick which Tanel Tammik rose the highest to head home into the back of the net.

The goal piled pressure on Kenya with midfielder Richard Odada being booked for a clumsy foul in the 30th minute. Five minutes later, Harambee Stars almost levelled the scores when Job Ochieng received a pass up front and managed a powerful shot, but Andre Karl Vallner palmed it away despite the offside call.

Kenya were forced into an early change in the 40th minute when Job Ochieng pulled an injury, and was replaced by Ben Omondi. Kenya kept pressing for the equaliser and in the 45th minute, debutant Zech Obiero of Tranmere Rovers, had a superb opportunity, but he shot straight at Vallner.

Despite Kenya’s dominance, Estonia went into the half-time break leading 1-0. Harambee Stars started the second period on a high and it took them 10 minutes to level the score.

In a series of passes in the attack, Obiero found the ball between the defenders to Ryan Ogam, who came face to face with the goalkeeper, before chipping the ball over Vallner and into the back of the net.

After the goal, Kenya launched another attack, trying to create danger for the Estonian defence and attempt to turn the score around. Estonia had been unable to penetrate the attacking third, suffering under pressure and even coming close to conceding the second goal.

Kenya made a double change – Obiero, Omar, and Wilson being replaced by Austin Odhiambo, Erastus Erambo, and Lawrence Ouma, while Estonia’s Poom and Mannilaan were replaced by Alex Matthias Tamm and Markus Soomets.

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Kenya will now play in the 3rd place play-off#FIFAseries #HarambeeStars

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) March 27, 2026