Charles Nyende
6 September 2008
Nairobi — Kenya's Harambee Stars ground out a 1-0 win against Namibia in a World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday.
Jamal Mohammed's excellently taken penalty in late in the first half was the all important item the home team needed to climb to top of Group Two with a final round of matches remaining in this phase of the qualifications.
Guinea, who Kenya dislodged from the top perch, may well retake the lead if they beat Zimbabwe on Sunday in Harare.
Stars win was anything but impressive but, importantly it was still three points in the bag as the 2010 race intensifies.
Kenya started the game slowly, stringing the passes but with little penetration as Namibia sat back defending comfortably.
Jamal in his first 2010 World Cup qualifier was the impressive of the Kenyan players with his attacking balls on the right side.
Kenya threatened in the fourth minute with Mulinge Munandi, his inviting cross somehow missed by Robert Mambo.
Allan Wanga should have done better on the 12th minute mark when the ball fell invitingly on his feet but he dithered with the goal at his mercy and the scrambling Namibia defense cleared the danger.
The influential Mohammed left Steven Guagab for dead down the left wing in the 19th minute but his cut back cross from the dead line was held on by the hawk eyed Athiel Mbaha in the Namibia goal as the Kenyan attackers lined up.
Wanga fired a long range effort just over the bar to underline frustration by Kenya as Namibia continued to defend sensibly.
As Kenya pressed they kept themselves vulnerable at the back and were almost punished by Collins Benjani but his free header went past the upright with Noah Ayuka beaten.
However, the half was all Kenyan and the goal duly came in the 43rd minute. The attack minded left back John Njoroge embarked on another run on the left wing only to be brought down by Richard Ganisen in the box.
Mohammed stepped up for the resultant penalty kick to sent the keeper the wrong way. But if the first half showed positive football from the Kenyans the second half was all negative. Harambee Stars looked inclined to keep their slender one goal lead keeping the ball in their half with little ambition to venture into enemy territory.
Kenya's best effort on goal in this drab half was by Allan Wanga in the 70th minute when his grass cutter on the run rebounded back into play from the near post.
Mohammed almost secured his deserved hero status on the day eight minutes from time when he won the ball deep in Namibia territory but tried to round the keeper when a placed shot looked the better option.
He overan the ball and an excellent chance to double the scores went begging. Namibia's best chances of the final half a sizzling shot from just outside the area from Lazarus Kiambi that whistled past the right post.
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