Mapinduzi Cup: Harambee Stars bounce back with convincing win over Tanzania
Harambee Stars bounced back from their opening draw with a dominant 2-0 win over Tanzania in the Mapinduzi Cup. Second-half goals from Boniface Muchiri and Ryan Ogam put Kenya in a strong position to reach the final, topping the standings with four points ahead of their final group match against Zanzibar.
Harambee Stars returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Tanzania in their second match of the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup at Gombani Stadium, Zanzibar’s Pemba Island this evening.
Second-half goals from Boniface Muchiri and Ryan Ogam secured the win for Kenya, sending them to the top of the tournament standings with four points. The four-team friendly competition also includes Burkina Faso and Zanzibar.
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Burkina Faso are second, level on points with Kenya but behind on goal difference, having drawn 1-1 with Kenya before winning 1-0 against Zanzibar. Tanzania are at the bottom with no points after a 1-0 loss to Zanzibar in their opening match, while Zanzibar are third with three points.
After a frustrating 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in their first match, where a late equalizer denied them victory, Kenya’s win on Saturday puts them in a strong position to reach the final on Monday 13 January 2025, if they avoid defeat in their final group match against Zanzibar on Friday.
Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi made six changes to the lineup that faced Burkina Faso. Byrne Odhiambo, captain Abud Omar, right-back Daniel Sakari, midfielder Boniface Muchiri, and striker Ryan Ogam were the only players to keep their spots.
In defence, Brian Okoth and Hanif Wesonga made way for Alphonce Omija and Sylvester Owino, while Chrispine Erambo and Brian Musa replaced Kenneth Muguna and Michael Mutinda in midfield. The formation changed from a 4-5-1 to a 4-3-3, with Austin Odhiambo and Darius Msagha joining the attack alongside Ogam, and Brian Musa and James Kinyanjui rested.
The first half ended goalless, with both teams managing only one shot on target. However, Harambee Stars broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Muchiri turned in a cross from Sakari. Ogam doubled Kenya's lead in the 68th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error by Tanzania.
With the match secured, Kenya controlled possession and cruised to their 37th win over Tanzania in their 69th meeting.
Kenya is now unbeaten in their last eight encounters with Tanzania, their last defeat to their East African rivals coming in November 2012, in a friendly match in Dar es Salaam.
