Kenya comes from behind with Olunga’s brace to beat 3-2 Tanzania in AFCON group match

Kenya came from behind against Tanzania to claim the spoils in the pulsating encounter dubbed “East African derby” at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Michael Olunga scored twice as Kenya edged neighbours Tanzania 3-2 in Cairo Thursday to keep alive hopes of reaching the second round in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya’s side was caught napping in the sixth minute as Tanzania took a shock lead. An end to end move ended with Samatta being sent clear down the left, his shot was parried by Patrick Matasi and Msuva turned in the rebound. Kenya began to create openings and Erick Ouma had a close-range effort brilliantly stopped by goalkeeper Aishi Manula before Olunga hit the crossbar and eventually equalised in the first half with an amazingly taken overhead kick.

Tanzania Skipper Mbwana Samatta restored Tanzania lead beating Kenya’s defence and sneaking the ball with hard low drive between Matasi legs and into the net. Johanna Omolo restored parity with a well taken header for Kenya, who evntually snatched victory when they broke out of defence and the ball was played to Olunga, whose snot sneaked between Manula and his near post.

“It was completely crazy and the coach at this time is just a spectator,” Kenya coach Sebastien Migne said. “The players wrote history tonight, now everything is possible, we have nothing to lose.”

Tanzania coach Emmanuel Amunike was surprisingly critical of his team.

“There were a lot of crazy things….we committed a lot of mistakes,” said the former Nigeria international. “You practise and practise, but players are players and as a coach you stand on the touch-line and you are helpless.”

Although neither side are among the heavyweights of African football, they produced a remarkably open contest with a hatful of chances.

Migne said before the match that it was time for his team, who are taking part at their sixth Afcon tournament, to end their run of falling at the first hurdle each time.

Earlier, Algeria defeated Senegal 1-0 in a foul-riddled first match of a Group C double-header at the 30 June Stadium and both countries are set to make the last 16.

Even if Kenya lose their final group match against Senegal, they will hope to squeeze into the knockout phase as one of the four best third-place teams.

After two rounds, former champions Algeria have six points, Senegal and Kenya three each and Tanzania are pointless.