ZoomKENYA international striker Dennis Oliech scored a scorcher in the dying minutes to help Harambee Stars edge out Guinea Bissau 2-1 and remain in contention to qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Auxxure striker latched onto a loose ball outside the Guinea Bissau danger kzone to unleash a powerful shot that beat the team’s keeper Bruno Fernandez all the way. It was a sweet for the Kenyan international since the game was headed for the finish. Kenya had taken the lead through Mike Baraza after a barren first half before Bissau equalized through Ailton Pereira.
The victory now puts Kenya in contention for the final and they will be waiting with bated breath to know the outcome of the Group’s other contenders Uganda Cranes and Angola who play tomorrow in Luanda.
Kenya tactician Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno was full praise of his boys who were looking dead and buried and Bissau and snatched the equalizer. “It was a sweet victory because my players remained composed despite conceding that goal that could have ended their dream of playing in the Nations Cup finals. I told them to keep working hard because I sensed that we could snatch a late winner,” said Otieno.
The Kenyans started the game forcefully with Oliech, who was captaining the side, missed from close ranger a spade work from Titus Mulama. Then the Kenyans threatened against with Oliech being in the heart of everything. The speedy striker controlled a through ball from Dennis Odhiambo and set up Bob Mugalia, whose shot went wide with the keeper out of his position.
Guinea Bissau, who were seeking to beat Kenya for the second time having won the first round match 1-0, came back forcefully and danger man Ailton Pereira hitting the wood work from a well taken close in the 28th minute.
Then Kenya kept pressuring for the first goal but it was Mulama, who was yellow carded for pushing a Guinea Bissau player while on the ground. Guinea Bissaue then came close to snatching the lead with Ivanildo S. Cassama combining well with Luciano Texxeina but Kenya custodian foiled the attack.
The second half started forcefully with Kenya raiding the Guinea Bissau rear guard. It was again man-of-the match Dennis Oliech, who was denied by keeper Fernandez after being fed by a Anthony Kimani.
Then Kenyan coach Otieno made changes to his side bringing in Mike Baraza for Kevin Ochieng and Stephen Waruru for Collins Okoth. The move paid dividends as Baraza grabbed the opener pouncing onto a cross from Oliech to stab the ball home to the delight of the home fans. Kenya continued to pressure hard for the second and once again Oliech watched help lessely as his left foot shot hit the side net.
The Kenyans then relaxed leaving Guinea Bissau to take control and it was no surprise when the hard working Pereira put them level after he connected to a far corner a cross from Bazil Carvalho in the 81st minute. With time ticking by, Kenya coach Otieno sensed danger and brought in Collins okoth for the off colour Bob Mugalia.
Okoth and Waruru started to combine well exchanging passes from the wings but to no veil. Then the moment, with six extra time added, Oliech latched onto a through lacking outside the Guinea Bissau goalmouth to unleash a thunderbolt that beat outstanding keeper Fernandez all the way. With the final whistle, Fernandez could not believe it as he shed tears while leaving the pitching. Nevetherless, the game had ended 2-1 in favour of Kenya and the outcome of tomorrow’s match between Angola and Uganda will decide their destiny as far as qualifying to the 2012 Nations Cup finals is concerned.
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