Birthday boy Michael Ogada Olunga netted a hat-trick to guide Kenya to a 3-1 win against Zimbabwe in the 4-Nations tournament that concluded in Blantyre, Malawi on Tuesday.

An early own goal by defender Joseph Okumu gave Zimbabwe the lead at the Bingu Stadium, but the Harambee Stars did not give up and kept and kept pushing forward.

Olunga who was celebrating his 30^th birthday later made it 1-1 for Kenya at the stoke of halftime after receiving a pass from Ayub Timbe.

After recess the Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza was sent-off, and skipper Teenage Hadebe also saw red for the Warriors for a second bookable offence.

Olunga who plies his trade in Qatar with Al-Duhail netted the second goal after 63 minutes. Kenya was also reduced to 10-men, but Olunga was still in scoring mood to add his third with four minutes to full time.

Engin Firat, the Kenya head coach said that the 4-Nations tournament was a good ground for them to assess the team. “It is good we played and won the two matches and there are things we have learnt,” added Firat. In their first match Kenya humbled Malawi 4-0, while Zimbabwe saw-off Zambia 605 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Zambia also defeated Malawi 2-1 in a match played on Tuesday.

The four teams Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi used the tournament as part of preparations for the coming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers scheduled for June.

In other friendly matches involving CECAFA teams Sudan suffered a 2-1 defeat to Guinea Bissau in a match played on Monday, while Uganda Cranes settled for a 2-2 draw against Ghana in a match played in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday.

The Taifa Stars of Tanzania have humbled Mongolia 3-0 in their last match of the FIFA Series played Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday.

After losing their first match 1-0 to Bulgaria, ranked 83^rd in the latest FIFA ranking, the Tanzanian team came all out to score three second half unanswered goals at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium.

Youngster Kelvin Pius John who plies his trade with Belgium side KRC Genk netted the first goal after 49 minutes to give Taifa Stars the lead.

As the Mongolia team (ranked 190^th in the world) tried to fight back and get some goals, Abdul Hamisi Suleiman made it 2-0 for Tanzania after 62 minutes, and Novatus Dismas Miroshi scored the third goal after 76 minutes.

Hemed Suleiman, the caretaker coach of the Taifa Stars said he was happy with the display of the team. “These two matches we played against Bulgaria and Mongolia have helped us get some exposure with teams from different continents,” added Suleiman.

In the other matches involving teams from the CECAFA Zone played today Burundi settled for a goalless draw against Botswana, while Rwanda recorded a 2-0 win against hosts Madagascar.  

Gilbert Mugisha and Djihad Bizimana netted the goals for the Amavubi if Rwanda. In their first match Rwanda picked a goalless draw against Botswana, while Burundi lost 1-0 to Madagascar.

On Tuesday Kenya will face Zimbabwe in the final of the 4-Nations tournament in Malawi, while Uganda battle Ghana in an international friendly in Morocco. Sudan is also expected to face Guinea Bissau in an international friendly tie.

The Harambee Stars of Kenya will face Zimbabwe in the final of the 4- Nations tournament at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

Kenya humbled hosts Malawi 4-0 in their first match played on Saturday. Skipper Micheal Olunga scored a brace in the first 5 minutes with the opening goal coming in the first minute. He made it 2-0 after converting from the spot after five minutes.

Malawi missed a penalty in the 69th when Kenya goalkeeper Patrick Mutsotsi Matasi saved Lloyd Aaron’s spot kick.

Ayub Timbe Masika and John Avire later added two more goals to give Kenya a comfortable win. In the second match Zimbabwe beat Zambia 6-5 on penalties after the match had ended 2-2.

The Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat was happy with the way his players responded well from kick off. “It was a good match for us. We had new four players who really understood our strategy. We were fantastic on the ball and Malawi showed a fighting spirit but we prevailed,” added the coach.

In other international matches played by teams from the CECAFA Zone Uganda suffered a 4-0 defeat to Comoros in a match played in Marrakech in Morocco on Friday.

In the other matches played on Friday Rwanda settled for a goalless draw against Botswana, while Burundi lost 1-0 to hosts Madagascar. The Taifa Stars of Tanzania also suffered a 1-0 to Bulgaria in their first match FIFA Series on-going in Azerbaijan.

Ethiopia will play their second match against Lesotho later today in Addis Ababa after falling 2-1 in the first match played on March 21^st, 2024.

Hosts Ethiopia suffered a 2-1 defeat to the visiting national team of Lesotho in an international friendly match played on Thursday.

After three years the national team finally played a match at the Addis Ababa National Stadium.

Jane Thabantso gave Lesotho the lead after 32 minutes, and Moerane Sekhoane made it 2-0 three minutes to half time. At the stroke of half time Mesfin Tafesse pulled back a goal for Ethiopia.

The two teams failed to find the net after the interval. Gebremedhin Haile, the Ethiopia head coach said his team did not respond well especially in the first half and also blamed the condition of the pitch which has not hosted a match for many years.

Ethiopia will hope to recover quickly to get a win against the same side when they face-off on Sunday at the same venue.

Meanwhile, five other teams from the CECAFA Zone will be in action later tonight in International friendly matches. Tanzania will be in action against Bulgaria in a FIFA Series match in Azerbaijan, while Sudan take on Guinea Bissau in a match to be played in Morocco.

The CECAFA Challenge Cup reigning champions Uganda Cranes will take on Comoros in yet another match taking place in Morocco. Burundi and Rwanda will take on hosts Madagascar and Botswana respectively. The Harambee Stars of Kenya will be in action against hosts Malawi on Saturday.