A one-two punch in the second half drove the Harambee Stars of Kenya to a 2-0 victory over the Tanzania Mainland selection on Tuesday in the Mapinduzi Cup hosted in Zanzibar.
Boniface Muchiri struck in the 55th minute and Ryan Ogam doubled the lead less than five minutes later for Kenya, who join Burkina Faso at the top of the four-team tournament with four points each after two rounds of matches. Following their earlier defeat to host team Zanzibar Heroes, the Tanzania Mainland team has lost both of their matches heading into the final round.
All matches at the exhibition tournament have been closely fought and it was more of the same on Tuesday as there was nothing to separate the two teams at the end of an uneventful first half.
However the Harambee Stars, using the tournament as a test before the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in February, ambushed their Tanzanian opponents early in the second half with two goals in quick succession. Ulinzi Stars player Muchiri reacted quickest to volley in the 55th minute opener after his initial header from a Daniel Sakari cross was blocked by a defender.
The goal ignited more urgency from the Tanzania team but Ogam took advantage of a miscommunication in the defense to double Kenya's lead. Kenya will play their final group match on Saturday against hosts Zanzibar while Tanzanian Mainland conclude against Burkina Faso.
Match Highlights
Updated Table (Credit: Azam TV/X)
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