There is hope, however slim, that for the first time, Harambee Stars might sneak past the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
There were doubts, with many heaping blame on head coach Sebastien Migne who kicked off the campaign on the wrong footing following the lose to Algeria.
Kenyans have been starved of Afcon action for the last 15 years and the country is pregnant with expectation that eventually it can be done.
Many are hoping that at least the Stars can better their 2004 performance where they picked just one win before crashing out of the completion. Until Thursday, that was the only victory for the country at this stage in the last 17 games.
But a Michael Olunga’s brace — a goal apiece in either half — in between Johanna Omollo’s header, gifted Stars with their second win at the Africa’s biggest football stage, thus far, thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Tanzania in the second match of the Group C on Thursday night.
And for once the disillusioned Kenyan fans can smile even as they remain hopeful that the boys will rise to the occasion in the final group game.
Kenya not only need luck but the acceptance of the gods of football when they take on the Lions of Teranga in the crucial Group C action next week.
Kenya had a faulty start against the Desert Foxes of Algeria who beat them 2-0 but after a little tweaking of the squad by under fire Migne, Harambee Stars shone brighter that Taifa Stars.
The victory leaves Kenya tied on second spot with Senegal both on three points. Senegal, who beat Tanzania in the opening group game lost their second match to Algeria who have six points while Tanzania have zero points.
With Algeria already assured of a ticket to the next phase of action, the battle for the second spot is between Kenya and Senegal.
Having conceded four goals and scored just three is not a sure guarantee that Kenya might qualify as the best losers. For this reason, Stars have no option but to cage the Lions of Teranga in the do-or-die clash.
Liverpool attacker Sadio Mané is expected to lead Senegal’s attack, but Olunga who is on the list of top scorers after two rounds of matches, will be returning fire.
At least Migne has demonstrated that he can be flexible when he wants to when he gave David Owino a starting berth and dropped Francis Kahata to the bench.
A little tactical shift, especially in the midfield, and possibly playing Olunga and either Avira or Masud Juma as twin strikers, will add a little punch in the attack.
Ismail Gonzalez can also bring in some creativity in the midfield where Omollo is expected to retain his position alongside captain Victor Wanyama.
Kenya has never made it past the group stages and this is the closest they’ve come to breaking that jinx. Migne and his entire technical bench must do everything humanly possible to achieve this rare feat.
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