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Here are six things we learnt from Kenya's convincing 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the 2024 COSAFA Cup.
The Kenya national U-23 football team Emerging Stars brushed aside Zimbabwe 2-0 in the ongoing 2024 COSAFA Cup in South Africa to keep their solid run going and finish second of pool B.
Depending on results from group C, Kenya may well be in the semi-finals of the tournament, but even if they get knocked out, they can look back on the tournament with a lot of satisfaction.
But what exactly were the takeaways from the match? Pulse Sports learnt five things about the team, and profiled them for you. Tell us if you agree or disagree, and also add more takeaways in the comments section below.
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13:00 - 24.06.2024
Analysis: Why Harambee Stars will be at their optimum in a 3-5-2/3-4-3 iteration over the long-term
This is why Harambee Stars could become unstoppable in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation in the future as was seen during their 0-0 draw against Ivory Coast:
Austin Odhiambo shows his class
Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo continues to show why he has been winning plaudits over the last one year, as his dominating performance against Zimbabwe put them on the brink of virtually securing qualification to the semi-finals depending on the outcome of group C.
Odhiambo has been a breath of fresh air for a country known for producing energetic midfielders rather than those with natural flair. He led from the front alongside Benson Omala well and was at the heart of everything positive for Stars.
His goal was exquisitely executed, as was the quality of his passing especially when attempting to break lines. He also created overloads in different parts of the pitch to help his teammates have a qualitative and numerical advantage.
If he keeps playing as he is, then it is only a matter of time until the reported links to AA Gent in Belgium materialise.
Rooney Onyango evergreen
Rooney Onyango has never put a foot wrong in a Kenyan shirt since his debut against Russia last October. He was energetic bombing up and down the right flank, and the quality of his crossing was excellent.
He provided the assist for Odhiambo’s goal, his fourth in a Harambee Stars jersey, and also played a vital part in making sure Kenya got all the three points. He is proving his worth as captain of the side.
Byrne Omondi is a complete goalkeeper
Byrne Omondi rose to prominence in 2023 while at KCB where he established himself as first choice goalkeeper ahead of Gabriel Andika. He had also experienced the luxury of getting sufficient minutes on loan at Mathare United from Posta Rangers the season before, and his performances caught the eye of Engin Firat who called him up to the national team.
He earned his first five caps for the main side before suffering an unfortunate leg injury against Russia, which allowed Patrick Matasi to reclaim his spot as the country’s number 1.
At the COSAFA Cup, Omondi has shown why he had become first choice in the first place. His distribution has been a joy to behold, as has been his organisational skills, composure and command of area. He has also made some crucial saves, and made one during the win against Zimbabwe in the first half when Kenya were on the back foot.
If he continues playing the way he is, he may well become the first choice goalkeeper again before too long.
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06:00 - 14.06.2023
FKFPL: From Tusker outcast to Harambee Stars goalkeeper: The rise of KCB's Bryne Odhiambo
The KCB custodian aims to establish himself as Harambee Stars first choice goalkeeper.
Clear structures of play
For all the talk that Kenya play without organisation, this tournament has proven that they indeed do have patterns of play if you pay keener attention.
Against Zimbabwe, Kaycie Odhiambo, who was brought into the side for his first start, would drop between the center backs Sylvester Owino and Amos Wanjala in Build up.
This would allow Alphonce Omija to push high up in order to create numbers upfront. In the middle of the pitch, there was an emphasis on getting Austin Odhiambo to drop deeper to receive the ball, and then he would use his delicious half turn to spray passes forward towards runners like Chris Erambo in a box to box role, Rooney Onyango as a right wing back, Benson Omala uptop and Hassan Beja -who was then replaced by Patrick Otieno.
The side also played out from the back with purpose. Keeper Omondi’s pass led directly to Omala’s goal, thus getting himself an assist, and Amos Wanjala’s long pass from the back initiated the build up that ended up in Austin Odhiambo getting the opening goal.
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16:10 - 02.07.2024
COSAFA Cup player ratings: Austin Odhiambo and Byrne Omondi shine in Kenya's win over Zimbabwe
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?
Off the ball, the players are also running and fighting hard for each other in a 4-5-1 set up, with aggressive man-to-man marking as well as some bits of marking in zones.
Whether they proceed to the semis or not, Emerging Stars know what they are.
Patrick Otieno real catalyst for Kenya’s victory
Patrick Otieno was unlucky to have been left out despite having a brilliant tournament, where he scored the side’s second goal.
He was however subbed on at the start of the second half, with Ken Odhiambo keen to get someone who would retain possession in the final third much much better.
He did a good job compared to Hassan Beja, who struggled for much of the first half, and it freed up Austin and Omala to have more space to do their damage. If Kenya do proceed to the semis, he has to keep his place in the side.
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19:00 - 26.06.2024
Pulse Sports’ FKFPL team of the season: Kapaito, Okello, Makwatta? Which striker joins Benson Omalla in attack?
Revealing which players made Pulse Sports Kenya's 2023/2024 team of the season:
Geoffrey Onyango cements left back place
The Kariobangi Sharks utility player was brought back into the team having beed dropped for the match against Comoros.
There was better balance with him back in the team. He stretched the left hand side well, and also made sure nothing went down his side at all. He can look back at his tournament so far with alot of pride.
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