4th October, 2016
It is going to be a seventh meeting between the two nations, the first one coming way back in May 1967 in a friendly, where Harambee Stars won 5-4 against the visitors, before playing to a one all draw again at home in the same month.
However, four latest encounters have ended in favour of the Central African nation. During the 2000 Afcon qualifiers, Kenya fell 2-1 away to Congo DR, before again losing by a solitary goal at home. The two other encounters came in terms of friendlies – though it was a mini tournament, Nile Basin Tournament, organized by Egypt with Uganda also taking part, where Kenya fell twice to the same opponent by a solitary goal.
Kenya has not lost her five latest matches since falling 1-0 to visitors Guinea Bissau in the Afcon qualifying match. The Stars have however, drawn four and won just once (2-1 win against Congo Brazzaville), as compared to Congo DR, who have won three of their last five matches, drawn once and lost once.
Congo: Everton’s Yala Bolasie is one player who every team would love to have. His terrorizing vision and pace are his main assets and can create a goal scoring opportunity from any situation. A danger for Stars.
Another man, who can cause problems is Youssuf Mulumbu. Despite plying trade with Norwich in the Championship (England), the midfielder has enough experience to stop the Kenyans. He should not be allowed to control the proceedings in the midfield.
Kenya: All eyes will once agin be on David Owino commonly referred to as ‘Calabar’. He will definitely be given the chance to face one of the best attackers in the continent, and he has to marshal his defense well.
It seems Djurgardens IF’s Michael Olunga has rediscovered his scoring form and he is currently the talk of the fans in Sweden. But he has to replicate that form when turning out for the national team.
PROBABLE LINE-UP: Kenya: Boniface Oluoch, Joackins Atudo, Aboud Omar, David Owino, Brian Mandela, Anthony Akumu, Victor Majid, Erick Johanna, Paul Were, Jesse Were, Michael Olunga.
Goal.com