Benni McCarthy's Kenya made a winning start to the African Nations Championship with a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic Congo in Group A on Sunday afternoon.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy unleashed a solid eleven which included Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo and Masoud Juma notably, while Kitambala Bola spear-headed the line for the Leopards.
Kitambala looked to have made a bright opening five minutes in when he tucked in a loose ball from the area, but it didn’t stand following a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) owing a foul in the lead-up to the goal.
Kenya came close to unlocking the Leopards around the half-hour mark following a rasping shot wide of the area by David Sakwa, but goalkeeper Brudel Liyongo smothered.
Odhiambo displayed moments of brilliance in added time when he pulled wide to the area after managing to get goal-side and fired in the far corner to give them the lead.
The Leopards made a double change at the start of the second half as Josue Baso came on for Lise Ntumba and Heltone Kayembe filled in for Mbiyeye Bisamuna.
Kenya were on the back-foot following the resumption, with the Leopards gunning a way back and penetrated through all avenues.
Kayembe came inches to levelling matters for Congo midway through the second half through a toe-poke attempt following a corner-kick, but goalkeeper Bryne Omondi made the stop.
McCarthy’s men regained momentum around the closing minutes, but the Leopards showed resilience at the back and cleared timeously.
The Harambee Stars sustained the late pressure from the Leopards and enjoyed a winning start to their CHAN campaign.
