Mapinduzi Cup: Kenya held to a draw by Burkina Faso

Harambee Stars were forced to share the spoils with Burkina Faso after the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw in a 2025 Mapinduzi Cup match played at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba Island on Saturday night.

The Stars appeared on course for a winning start when James Kinyanjui fired Kenya ahead just before the break. However, Francis Kimanzi’s charges failed to seal the victory as Burkina Faso equalised deep into stoppage time, with Aboubakar Traore finding the net in the 91st minute.

The result marked the first draw in the history of meetings between the two nations, who had faced off four times before, with Kenya claiming victory in three of those encounters.

Kimanzi opted for a youthful starting squad, giving Tusker’s Byrne Odhiambo the nod in goal over KCB’s experienced shot-stopper Farouk Shikhalo. Captain Abud Omar anchored the left-back position, while Daniel Sakari partnered Hanif Wesonga and Brian Okoth in the defensive line.

The midfield featured Boniface Muchiri, Brian Musa, James Kinyanjui, Kenneth Muguna, and Michael Mutinda, while Ryan Ogam led the attack as a lone striker.

Kenya’s next match is against Tanzania on Tuesday, January 7, with Kimanzi likely to make changes to recover from Saturday’s setback. Tanzania, equally desperate for points, will aim for redemption after falling 1-0 to hosts Zanzibar in their opening match on Friday.

Zanzibar currently tops the standings in the four-team tournament with three points. The hosts can secure a spot in the final, scheduled for Monday, January 13, with a victory over Burkina Faso on Monday, January 6.

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