COSAFA: Kenya defeat Zimbabwe to keep semis hopes alive

Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo starred in the match, pulling Kenya's U23 team, Emerging Stars, ahead, before Benson Omalla made it 2-0.

Kenya is placed second in the Group B with six points, same as leaders Comoros who however have a superior goal difference after beating 1-0 in the other group match. 

Ken Odhiambo's boys are hoping that either Angola or Namibia lose their final Group C matches on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, to enable them sneak through to the knockout stage as best runners-up.

Angola will face Lesotho while Namibia will square it out with Seychelles.

After a cagey first half, Kenya came back from the break with fresh ideas, and started off attacking which paid off in the 54th minute, when Odhiambo slotted home from inside the box after a cross from captain Rooney Onyango.

Another Gor Mahia player, striker Omalla made it 2-0 who just needed a touch to slot it home from a long ball from goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, to condemn Zimbabwe to their first defeat of the tournament. 

Odhiambo, crowned man-of-the-match, attributed their win to the wind condition which favoured them in the second half.

"We had a very difficult first half because of the wind. We found it tough to pass through balls to our striker. In the second half we knew the wind would blow on our side so we had to push to get the two goals," said Odhiambo.

Odhiambo's sentiments were echoed by head coach Ken Odhiambo, who apart from lauding his charges for the crucial victory, cited their opponents' weakness in defending high balls.

"The first half we knew we wanted to contain them because of the wind, but in the second half we knew we would hit them as they were not very good in defending high balls and we capitalized on that one."