The Kenyan national football team picked a point from Zambia after the teams drew 1-1 in the final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Levitt Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Sunday.
Harambee Stars, let slip the chance to climb above Zambia’s Chipolopolo in group E of the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), conceding a late goal at the Nelson Mandela national stadium for a one-one draw in a match that was meaningless in the context of qualification.
Kenya international, Ayub Timbe Masika, opened the scoring for the Stars in the 63rd minute with a delightful lob before Chipolopolo skipper, Rainford Kalaba, struck the equalizer in the dying minutes of the match with a tap-in at the far post.
The hosts got an early free kick after Teddy Akumu was judged to have fouled a Zambian opponent. Then in the third minute, Rainford Kalaba’s long-range effort was easily dealt with by Boniface Oluoch in the Kenyan goal.
Kalaba was causing a lot of problems for the Kenyan defenders and in the 23rd minute, his well-taken cross went begging.
Aboud Omar coming back to the team after a long time showed great composure at the back and did well to contain the Zambians.
Come the second half Harambee Stars were a more aggressive side and were rewarded in the 64th minute courtesy of Timbe who beat the Zambian goalkeeper with an impressive flick.
Zambia, however, piled plenty of pressure on the Kenyan defense and were rewarded in the 87th minute when the lively Kalaba beat Oluoch from close range.