Ten-man Comoros frustrates Kenya to keep AFCON qualifying Group G lead
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E-mail Xinhua, November 12, 2020
NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Surprise leader Comoros survived playing with 10 men and a second half bombardment from Kenya to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Nairobi that kept it top of Group G of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying on Wednesday night.
Youssouf M'Changama and Masud Juma traded goals in the 26th and 65th minutes of each half to settle the contest but the former was sent off with half time approaching after he received two yellow cards.
The result left the islanders at the summit of a pool that also includes record AFCON winner Egypt and 2016 World Cup finalist Togo with five points from three unbeaten games.
Kenya held on to second with three points after a third successive draw while Egypt (two) and Togo (one) who play their third round qualifier clash on Saturday prop the group where the top two finishers will gain an automatic ticket to the Cameroon 2021 AFCON finals.
Playing on a poor pitch, Kenya's Harambee Stars got off to a better start when midfielder Ayub Timbe floated a decent free-kick only for defender Brian Mandela to put his header just wide off the target.
That was as good as it got for the hosts in the first half as a disjointed display saw Comoros seize the initiative and take the lead in the 26th minute when Youssouf M'Changama, who plays for French Ligue 2 side, Guingamp scored a beauty.
His free-kick left returning goalkeeper Arnold Origi wrong footed as the ball flew into the net but he was soon to turn villain when the goal scorer was sent off in the 41st for a second bookable offence.
M'Changama left the pitch in dramatic fashion, screaming and kicking as he trudged off.
At the start of the second half, Stars head coach Jacob Mulee made his first change, Samwel Olwande coming off at right back for David Owino.
In the 54th minute, midfielder Cliff Nyakeya who had missed a glorious chance to level the scores in the first half made another darting run on the right and cut back for Johannah Omollo whose shot was turned out for a corner.
After missing a guilt-edged chance on the hour mark, striker Juma made up for it by hauling Stars level five minutes later with a sensational overhead kick after he pounced on a cross from Omollo.
A flurry of attacking substitutions did not inspire a comeback with the Kenyans aggrieved when Juma was denied a huge shout for a penalty in the final quarter.
The two teams meet again in the second of the double header next Tuesday. Enditem
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