Emerging Stars/ HANDOUT
Kenya’s Emerging Stars produced a commanding display on home turf on Monday afternoon, putting regional neighbours Tanzania to the sword with a resounding 4-1 victory in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium.
Paul Osama got Kenya off to a flying start, striking early to hand the hosts the lead and thrust Tanzania into a deep pool of uncertainty as they were forced to chase the game from the outset.
The Emerging Stars controlled much of the opening half, dictating the tempo and keeping their neighbours on the back foot.
Just when Tanzania appeared to have survived the first-half onslaught with only one goal conceded, captain Kelvin Wangaya produced a moment of quality, setting up Lawrence Ouma, who calmly found the net to double Kenya’s advantage and send the hosts into the interval with a commanding 2-0 lead.
Five minutes after the restart, Wangaya was still pulling the strings in midfield and was not done dictating the tempo.
The skipper capped another bright Kenya move by adding his name to the scoresheet, extending the Emerging Stars’ advantage to 3-0 and putting the hosts firmly in the driving seat.
Tanzania were handed a lifeline in the 53rd minute when they were awarded a penalty, which they coolly converted to reduce the deficit to 3-1 and briefly offer the visitors a route back into the contest.
However, the Emerging Stars refused to let their grip on the match loosen, continuing to press forward in search of another decisive blow.
That fourth goal arrived before the 80th minute mark when Kelly Madada found the back of the net, restoring Kenya’s three-goal cushion and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
The emphatic victory gives the Emerging Stars a sizeable advantage heading into the return fixture in Dar es Salaam on October 6, with Kenya now firmly in control of the two-legged tie.
The winner of the tie will advance to face Côte d’Ivoire in the next round.
