Rising Stars prove too good for Zimbabwe in opening clash of Malawi Four Nations tournament

FOOTBALL Rising Stars prove too good for Zimbabwe in opening clash of Malawi Four Nations tournament

Mark Kinyanjui 20:23 - 22.03.2024

The Kenya U20 side comprehensively thrashed Zimbabwe 3-1 to get their Malawi Four Nations tournament campaign off to a good start.

Rising Starlets got off to a good start at the Malawi Four Nations tournament as they brushed Zimbabwe aside in a clash that took place at the Bingu Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Rising Stars will now be playing Malawi in their second clash on Sunday, hoping they can clinch the tournament at the end of that clash, having gotten off to a flier.

Zimbabwe nearly scored first in the third minute, but their attempt hit the side netting.

From then on it was Malawi that would dominate proceedings, with Elly Owande scoring the first of his two goals in the seventh minute after being set up well by Hassan Beja, who had received an exquisite pass from deep from left footed defender Manzur Suleiman.

Malawi could not get a foothold in the game, and some 23 minutes later, where downed again by Owande’s second goal, another left footed strike after receiving the ball deep from Baron Ochieng down the right flank, before slotting it home, to give them the lead heading into the break.

Coach Amos Akhulia decided to make changes to give some players minutes. First, he took off Linus Munyao for Siphus Owuor, before bringing on Shabana’s Hezekiah Omuri and Rabok Ryan for Timothy Ouma.

But that was not before Beja netted the third goal of the side following a smartly executed move. Timothy Ouma released a pass to Owuor, who realised he was offside, so opted not to touch the ball, allowing Ouma to chase his own pass before cutting it back to Beja, who found the back of the net to make it 3-0 to Kenya’s good.

Zimbabwe clawed one back through Mapuwa Denzel after being set up well by Morris Musamba in the 80th minute.

Zimbabwe tried to fight back, but could not add more goals to get back into the game and in the end, the Kenyans would have enough about themselves to get the win.

Follow Pulse Sports Kenya WhatsApp Channel for more news.