Kenya fell to a stoppage-time goal at the hands of Egypt in the opening match of the Union of North African Federations U18 Tournament played on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at the Tolip Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt.
Backed by a sizeable crowd that had turned up for the match, the hosts dominated proceedings in the early exchanges and could have gone up before halftime had forward Mahmoud Saber not hit the woodwork.
Kenya, however, grew into the game with forwards Kevington Machika and Patrick Ngunyi always keeping the hosts on their toes.
Just as the match seemed to be heading for a draw, Mahmoud Saber would pounce on a loose ball just inside the box to send the hosts a goal up, one they held onto for the remaining minute to see out a 1-0 win.
Kenya U17 National Team defender Alphonce Omija tracks Egypt goalscorer Mahmoud Saber during thier UNAF U18 Tournament opening match
Kenya will next face Algeria on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at the same venue. Tanzania and Morocco are also in line for the Junior Stars.
Starting XI
18. Maxwell Mulili (GK), 8. Arnold Onyango (C), 6. Alphonce Omija, 20. Boniface Mwangemi, 21. Telvin Maina, 2. Hillary Okoth, 12. Nicholas Omondi, 10. Abdulmalik Hussein, 11. Mathew Mwendwa, 16. Patrick Ngunyi, 9. Kevington Machika
Substitutes
1. Brian Olang’o (GK), 17. Bixente Lizarazu, 5. Lawrence Otieno, 3. Christopher Raila, 23. Keith Imbali, 7. Saidi Musa, 13. Daniel Odhiambo, 15. Isaiah Abwal, 19. Lesley Owino, 22. Issa Wafula