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Austin Odhiambo and Byrne Omondi shone in Kenya's 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the ongoing 2024 COSAFA Cup, but how did everyone else perform?
The Kenya National U-23 football team Emerging Stars bounced back to winning ways against Zimbabwe, knocking them out in the process and sealing their place in the semi-finals of the COSAFA Cup taking place in South Africa with a convincing 2-0 win.
There were several positive performances, and the Kenyans will now set their sights at attempting to go all the way and even win the tournament.
Here are our player ratings from the match that was:
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07:00 - 02.07.2024
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GK- Byrne Omondi - 8
Byrne Omondi was a joy to behold at the back. His distribution was spot-on all afternoon, and he is the one who provided the assist for Benson Omala’s goal.
He also organised his defenders well and made a crucial save in the first half. Not to mention his superior command of the area. A well deserved high 8.
RB- Alphonce Omija -7
Playing on the right side of a back three, Alphonce Omija was excellent as he bombed forward to try and create overloads especially in the second half.
He also marked his man well and combined well with Rooney Onyango, who was playing at right wing back. He continues to grow in confidence with every cap he earns for the country.
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15:12 - 01.07.2024
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CB - Amos Wanjala - 8
Amos Wanjala showed why he has been winning so many plaudits since breaking through St. Anthony’s Boys’ Kitale last year.
The Gimnastic Tarragona man was naive in certain moments, understandable due to his youth, but he also had brilliant moments. He played a key role in the side’s first goal with an accurate pass from the back, which ended up with Austin finding the back of the net.
CB - Sylvester Owino - 7
Like Wanjala, Owino had some shaky moments of concentration lapses which could have cost his teammates a goal, especially in the first half, but he made up for it with his recovery pace, and calmed down in the second half.
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10:00 - 01.07.2024
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LB - Geoffrey Onyango - 7
Back in the side after being dropped for the Comoros match, the versatile defender did well stretching the play down the left hand side at left wing back in possession and left back off it. A steady performance.
CM - Kayci Odhiambo - 7
Given the nod to start ahead of John ‘Champe’ Ochieng, Kaycie Odhiambo was very good at aiding the side’s build up play.
He dropped in between the center backs in posession to receive the ball before attempting his line-breaking passes, and looked comfortable throughout even in situations where he had to push up to combine with his teammates. Should keep his spot in the semi finals, with Kenya having mathematically sailed through as the best second-placed team.
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13:39 - 01.07.2024
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CM - Chris Erambo - 7
An energetic display in a box to box role, Rambo moved forwards in situations where he was needed and also did his defensive work.
AM - Austin Odhiambo - 9
The official man of the match, Austin Odhiambo was at the heart of everything positive for the Kenyans. He broke lines well, and his goal was also a joy to behold.
He also created overloads in build-up in his free roaming role, and showed why he has been winning plaudits for the last one year.
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17:32 - 29.06.2024
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CM - Benson Omala - 8
Benson Omala scored the second goal of the afternoon for the side to cap off a good display. He ran the channels well and did his defensive work diligently. He may not be a good linker due to his heavy touch, but is making fine progress towards being a dependable impactor for the main team.
LW - Hassan Beja - 5
Hassan Beja had an afternoon to forget. Clearly in the starting line up to give them pace on the counter attack, he was lose in possession on many occasions. His touch was heavy, and the timing of his runs was awful.
Was rightly subbed off at the break.
RW - Rooney Onyango - 8
Displayed a captain’s display. Rooney Onyango has had a bad game since his debut for Kenya last October, and the theme continued.
His early crosses helped the side get the win, and it was his cross for Austin Odhiambo that opened the scoring for the side.
SUBSTITUTE
Patrick Otieno - 7
Patrick Otieno justified his substitution. Already with a goal at the tournament, he retained possession very well, drew men to him and created space for the likes of Omala and Austin to do their damage. Has to start in the semi-final.
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