National U-23 football team Emerging Stars have crashed out of the 2020 Olympics qualifiers after settling for a barren draw with Sudan at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Stars were aiming at overturning a 2-0 defeat suffered in Khartoum last week but were held by the visitors who resolutely guarded their goal to deny the marauding Kenyan forwards the much-sought levelling and winning goals.
Under the tutelage of former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards coach, Dravko Logarusic, Sudan sat deep in their area for the better part of the match and relied on counter-attacks.
Stars coach Francis Kimanzi made five changes to the squad which played in the first leg as he summoned Ulinzi Stars custodian Timothy Odhiambo for Sharks’ Brian Bwire while Piston Mutamba was recalled to replace an injured John Avire.
Mathare United play-maker also made it to the team in place of another injured player Jaffari Owiti while Sven Yidah was preferred ahead of Teddy Osok. Sweden-based Ovella Ochieng replaced Alwyn Tera.
The home side had a sluggish start in the encounter but grew in confidence as minutes ticked on the scoreboard and created several clear cut chances which the forwards failed to burry.
Ochieng and Mutamba were at fault not to give Kenya the lead in either half but had their close-range attempts saved by the Sudan gloveman.
