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The winners and losers from Kenya's participation in the recently concluded Mauritius Four Nations Tournament.
Harambee Stars ended their Mauritius Four Nations Tournament in disappointing fashion, losing 1-0 to the hosts on Sunday afternoon.
The result sparked a massive online uproar amongst Kenyans. Some also got to share their honest opinions with some of the players participating in the tournament.
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17:26 - 19.06.2023
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The result should be taken with a pinch of salt, as Firat insisted he was going to use this tournament to give some players a chance while continuing to build a team for upcoming future competitive assignments, with Kenya unable to take part in an international tournament until November in the preliminary 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Some players took their chances and impressed, while others will need to take a look in the mirror in order to try and improve moving forwards. Pulse Sports brings you the winners and losers from the just-concluded tournament.
Winners:
Moses Shummah
The Kakamega Homeboyz forward earned a rather surprise call-up to the national team just weeks after producing a Man of the Match display against AFC Leopards to send his side to the final of the FKF Cup.
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14:26 - 13.06.2023
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He was given the chance to start alongside captain Michael Olunga against Pakistan and scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute. He started on the bench against hosts Mauritius as Firat opted to test Benson Omala upfront.
As Omala flattered to deceive before being subbed off at the break, Shummah shone upon replacing him. Trying to make things happen as he often came deep to collect the ball and span away Mauritius defenders with his back to goal.
He sniffed at chances and even created one brilliant chance for Michael Olunga in the second half and will surely have earned the trust of Firat for future assignments.
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14:19 - 19.06.2023
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Bryne Omondi
The KCB keeper made his debut at this tournament and showed a proper compelling case to be the solution to the long-standing national team problem between the sticks.
He often looked assured when he possessed the ball as he helped build up play well from the back and made some good saves against both sides. One may argue he could have done better with the goal conceded against Mauritius, but he also made the initial good save to deny a towering header from going in.
David Cheche Ochieng
David Cheche Ochieng returned to the starting lineup for the first time after the FIFA suspension against Pakistan before following up with an appearance against Mauritius.
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06:00 - 14.06.2023
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He looked solid throughout, with his organizational skills, distribution, and reading of the game standing out over the duration of both tournaments, and has now made a compelling case to be a starter as Firat anticipates the return of Joseph Crouch Okumu and Brian Mandela in future.
Richard Odada
Richard Odada had a brilliant tournament and is making a compelling case as to why Harambee Stars do not need Victor Wanyama anymore.
Odada offered presence without the ball and on the ball, looked assured as he looked to penetrate it forwards from deep whenever he could with his range of passing, both long and short. He also showed his composure when making progressive carries forwards and was named Man of the Match against Pakistan
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10:00 - 19.06.2023
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Kenya beat Pakistan but lost 1-0 to Mauritius four days later
Daniel Sakari
Daniel Sakari redeemed himself against Mauritius after starting on the bench for a rather underwhelming display against Pakistan.
His long throws, in particular, gave the opposition problems as his technique and strength at making them created chances out of nothing for Harambee Stars. He also whipped in good crosses when he had the ball, although he played in an unfamiliar right-wing role given he is a right-back by trade.
Losers:
Eric Marcelo Ouma
It was an international break Eric Marcelo Ouma will want to forget quickly. He struggled in both matches both offensively and defensively.
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11:00 - 19.06.2023
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He carelessly often gave the ball away and struggled to beat his man on the dribble a lot of times over both games, both as a left winger and as a left back. He needs to rediscover his mojo as quickly as possible.
Clifton Miheso
Clifton Miheso struggled to make any impact whatsoever in the two outings against Pakistan and Mauritius. He came on as a substitute against Pakistan and barely beat his man. His crossing and shooting was often wayward, and so was his set-piece delivery.
Abud Omar
Just like his fellow fullback Marcelo, Abud Omar similarly struggled to give Engin Firat a reason to pick him as the starting left back in future international assignments.
10:00 - 19.06.2023
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Kenya beat Pakistan but lost 1-0 to Mauritius four days later
Omar started the first half against Pakistan before being subbed on at the break for Miheso. Against Mauritius, he came on as a sub and although he tried progressing the ball forwards with his left foot, generally struggled to impact the match in an attacking sense.
Benson Omala
When Benson Omala was snubbed from the trip to Iran for the team’s friendly against the 24th-placed team worldwide, fans all over the internet were infuriated.
Firat heeded their cry and decided to call him up for this assignment to Mauritius, and started against the hosts on Sunday. Omala played dismally before being substituted at the break as he often barely got a touch of the ball.
Firat’s decision to sub him off was justified as Shummah tried to change the outcome of the game after the break. The Turkish tactician challenged him to gain more experience in future club assignments for Gor Mahia especially continentally in order to help him gain more experience that may help him become more ready for international assignments.
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19:30 - 18.06.2023
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Amos Nondi
A midfielder by trade, Nondi showed several times why he is not a right back. Engin Firat is trying to get his side to create overloads into the midfield by using Nondi as an inverted right back.
Against Pakistan, it was evident as he, Odada, and Sakari constantly interchanged positions in order to find some cohesion on the side.
Although he looked good in spells, he was often caught out of position without the ball and will need to work on the defensive aspect of his game in order to become a nailed-on starter in a position that has given Kenya problems for years.
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05:30 - 19.06.2023
FOOTBALL Defeat in paradise: 5 key factors behind Harambee Stars' loss to Mauritius
Harambee Stars are expected to drop positions due to the loss to Mauritius, who are ranked 180 in the FIFA ranking.
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