Harambee Stars U20 defeats Talanta Hela U19 in friendly

Harambee Stars U20 proved too strong for Talanta Hela U19 as they thrashed the Spain-bound side 3-1 in a friendly match played at the Kasarani Annex on Tuesday 19th March.

Harambee Stars U20 led 2-0 at halftime with goals from Linus Munyao and Christopher Koloti in the 9th and 19th minute respectively. Robert Mutie pulled one back for Talanta Hela U19 in the 47th minute before Sigmund Maina sealed the win for Harambee Stars U20 in the 67th minute.

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba was present at the venue as the two sides played their final warm-up match before jetting out for the country to contest friendly matches in Malawi and Spain respectively.

Harambee Stars U20 are due to travel to Malawi to compete in the Four Nations Tournament alongside. They will face hosts Malawi U20 on Thursday, before playing either Zambia or Zimbabwe on Sunday.

On the other hand, Talanta Hela U19, will also travel to Spain on Thursday to compete in either the MIC Tournament or the Costa Daurada Tournament.

Ababu hailed the Talanta Hela U19 tournament as an initiative that complements FKF's effort to develop youth football in the country.

"If we maintain this trajectory (supporting youth football), in five to 10 years, we will be far as a country. Countries like Morocco are not doing anything special and in Kenya, we have taken the step to be intentional and deliberate about developping our football," CS Namwamba said.

The CS further addresses Kenyans online who had slammed FKF for failing to ensure that foreign-based stars like Aldrine Kibet, Alvin Kasavuli, and Amos Wanjala joined the Harambee Stars U20 squad.

"We had a discussion with FKF and we agreed that foreign-based stars for the U20 category will link up with the Talanta Hela U19 team in Spain and be part of that squad," the CS said.

Further, CS Namwamba spoke of the Ministry of Sports' role in ensuring that Harambee Stars is accompanied to the Four Nations Tournament by its junior team.

"As Ministry, we are committed to developping young players and as such, we urged FKF to ensure Harambee Stars travel to Malawi with the junior side and contest matches as well. We are happy that Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe embraced that idea as well and our Harambee Stars U20 will have matches against their junior teams," CS Ababu added.

Harambee Stars U20 coach Salim Babu welcome the victory as a result that helps them to prepare well for the Four Nations Tournament.

"This was an impromptu friendly so I did not have so much expectations on the boys. All in all, I have picked some lessons which will help us going forward," Babu said.

Talanta Hela U19 coach Stanley Okumbi blamed the defeat on the team's low fitness levels and conceded they have their work cut out to get the team ready to compete strongly in Spain.

"We had not trained since December and that is why we struggled in the first half. I am impressed with the response the boys gave in the second half against players featuring in the FKF PL, NSL, and foreign leagues. Looking ahead, we will work on their confidence and courage before competing in Spain where we will face tougher teams," Okumbi said.

The huge gap in class between the two sides was evident throughout the first half as Harambee Stars U20 completely dominated play and Talanta Hela U19 struggled to get a sight of their opponents goal.

After forcing some fine saves from the Talanta Hela U19 goalkeeper, Peter Juma, Harambee Stars U20 took the lead in the 9th minute with Linus Munyao sweeping Hassan Beja's cutback into the net.

Christopher Koloti doubled the lead nine minutes later when he headed in a corner from Delphine Omuri.

Linus Munyao had a chance to make it 3-0 in the 34th minute but his well-taken freekick was saved by Peter Juma.

Harambee Stars U20 was forced to make a change in the 43rd minute after Paul Ochwoga came on for the injured Baron Ochieng'.

The teams went for halftime with Harambee Stars U20 leading 2-0 and second half resumed with Harambee Stars U20 making wholesale changes.

Talanta Hela U19 started the second half strongly and reduced the deficit in the 47th minute when Robert Mutie slotted the ball into the net after beating the Harambee Stars U20 defence for pace to get to the end of a throughpass.

The goal signaled the resurgence of Talanta Hela U19 as they pushed hard to find an equalizing goal but, somehow, Harambee Stats U20 managed to keep them at bay.

Harambee Stars U20 extended their lead in the 67th minute after Sigmund Maina converted a penalty to make it 3-1.

Harambee Stars U20 held onto that lead until the end of the match as the rest of the game was played with both teams evenly-poised.