IT’S HEARTBREAK FOR WARRIORS
Kenya .............................................................. (1) 3 Zimbabwe ........................................................ (1) 1
THERE was heartbreak for the Warriors as they slumped to a big defeat, on a day in which their indiscipline also saw them lose their coach and central defender, in the final of the inaugural Four Nations tournament at Bingu Stadium in Malawi yesterday.
Norman Mapeza and Teenage Hadebe were both red carded in a match in which the referee flashed three red cards.
Kenya captain Michael Olunga, who plays as a striker for Qatar Stars League club Al-Duhail, scored a hat-trick on his 30th birthday to turn around the game.
Zimbabwe had taken an early lead following an own goal by the Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu.
Hadebe was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 56th minute when the teams were still level 1-1.
The teams were level to 10 men aside after midfielder Richard Odada was shown a second yellow for a second bookable offence following a rough challenge on Daniel Musendami in the 72nd minute.
This was shortly after Olunga had put his side in front.
Zimbabwe, who beat Zambia in a penalty shootout in the semi-final, had looked comfortable for most of the first half.
Mapeza made just one change from the team that beat Zambia in the semi-finals with Junior Makunike coming in for Jordan Zemura.
The Warriors took the lead with under four
minutes played after Tino Kadewere made a good run down the right channel and delivered a low cross that was pushed into the nets by sliding defender Okumu, under pressure from Macauley Bonne.
The Harambee Stars were still able to beat the half time whistle to level the scoreline when Olunga outjumped the Zimbabwean defenders to plant a header past Donovan Bernard,
Malawian referee Godfrey Nkhakananga, who
last year was suspended for four months by the Malawian Football authorities for failing to control the Airtel Top 8 Cup quarterfinal tie between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, almost lost control of the match soon after the restart.