Harambee Stars bounced back with an impressive 2-0 win over Tanzania in their second match of the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup, played at Gombani Stadium on Zanzibar’s Pemba Island this evening.
Second-half goals from Boniface Muchiri and Ryan Ogam sealed the victory, propelling Kenya to the top of the tournament standings with four points. The four-team competition also features Burkina Faso and Zanzibar.
Burkina Faso sits in second place, level on points with Kenya but trailing on goal difference. They drew 1-1 with Kenya in their opening match before narrowly defeating Zanzibar 1-0. Tanzania remains at the bottom without a point, having lost 1-0 to Zanzibar in their first game, while Zanzibar is third with three points.
Kenya’s win, after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in their opening match, puts them in a favorable position to reach the final on Monday, January 13, 2025. They only need to avoid defeat in their last group match against Zanzibar on Friday to progress.
Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi made six changes to the team that faced Burkina Faso. Byrne Odhiambo, captain Abud Omar, right-back Daniel Sakari, midfielder Boniface Muchiri, and striker Ryan Ogam retained their spots in the lineup.
In defense, Alphonce Omija and Sylvester Owino replaced Brian Okoth and Hanif Wesonga. In midfield, Chrispine Erambo and Brian Musa came in for Kenneth Muguna and Michael Mutinda. The team switched from a 4-5-1 formation to an attacking 4-3-3, with Austin Odhiambo and Darius Msagha joining Ogam in the frontline, while Brian Musa and James Kinyanjui were rested.
The first half ended goalless, with both teams managing just one shot on target. However, Kenya found their rhythm in the second half.
In the 55th minute, Muchiri opened the scoring by converting a cross from Sakari. Thirteen minutes later, Ogam capitalized on a defensive error by Tanzania to double Kenya’s lead.
With a comfortable lead, Harambee Stars dominated possession and secured their 37th win over Tanzania in 69 meetings.
Kenya is now unbeaten in their last eight encounters with Tanzania, their most recent loss to their East African rivals dating back to November 2012 in a friendly match in Dar es Salaam.
The result positions Kenya as a strong contender for the Mapinduzi Cup title as they prepare for their decisive clash against Zanzibar.
