Kenya’s Harambee Stars made light work on the Indian Ocean-based, Seychelles after a five-nil win yesterday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The win revives the Stars’ World Cup quest as it leaves Seychelles at the bottom of group F.
Michael Olunga scored a brace while Masoud Juma, Rooney Onyango, and Benson Omalla scored one each.
Harambee Stars were drawn in a challenging group alongside football powerhouses Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.
Kenya kicked off the qualifiers on the back foot after a 2-1 defeat to Gabon in Franceville.
The Stars Captain, Michael Olunga who has been under much criticism for his lack of goals gave Kenya a dream start after netting in the third minute for a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Olunga made it 2-0 after converting a rebound to make it 2-0 inside the opening 10 minutes of the match.
Juma who scored the one goal in the 2-1 against Gabon then made it three at the stock of halftime after a quick throw-in.
In the second half, K’gallo’s sensation Rooney Onyango scored his international debut goal with a thunderous shot in the 62nd minute.
Gor Mahia’s fan favorite Benson Omalla made it 5 nil in the 74 minutes after he got an assist from Onyango.
Stars coach Engin Firat made two changes to the 11 who started against Gabon last week, introducing Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma in the left-back role, in the place of Aboud Omar as Eric Johanna started in the place of Kenneth Muguna.
Kenya now has three points as Burundi with 4 goal difference and Ivory Coast top group F with six points after beating Gambia.
Gabon also has six points though Ivory Coast has a positive 12-goal difference.
Kenya will play the next matches in June 2024 against Ivory Coast and Burundi respectively.
