10 May 2015 11:42
Kenya’s no-show at the Olympic Games saw yet another setback after crashing out of the qualifiers for the African U-23 Championship Senegal 2015, the continental qualifiers for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
The Harambee Stars beat Botswana 4-1 in their second leg first round clash in Nairobi on Saturday, but it was not enough to see them through. The Zebras advanced on the away goal rule after a 4-4 tie on aggregate.
It means that the East African nation will have to wait for another four years to break their Olympics hoodoo.
Striker Michael Olunga netted a hat-trick in the pursuit of a historic comeback, but they were undone by a Omaatlo Kebatho first half strike. Kebatho leveled on 25 minutes; two minutes after Olunga scored the opener with a left shot that beat Botswana goalie Goitseone Phoko.
Five minutes before the break, lanky forward Olunga ensured the hosts ended the first half with a thin lead thanks to a low shot.
Back from recess, John Ndirangu increased the tally on 76 minutes before Olunga completed his hat-trick with a strike in stoppage time. Tried as the Harambee Stars, they failed to get the final goal that would have capped one of the major comebacks in continental football, handing Botswana a place at the second round where they will face fellow southerners Zambia.
The three top teams at the African U-23 Championship will represent the continent at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Fixtures
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Kenya 4-1 Botswana (0-3)
Sunday, 10 May 2015
*Somalia vs Rwanda (0-2)
*Will take place in Djibouti
Picture credit: www.nation.co.ke
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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