‘Harambee Stars can do better than they did against Burkina Faso’ – Kimanzi

Kenya national team - Photo Courtesy FKF Media.

Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi believes his charges can perform better than they did in the 1-1 2025 Mapinduzi Cup opening draw against Burkina Faso at the Gombeni Stadium in Zanzibar on Saturday.

The match saw both teams fight for control, with Kenya showing early intent to break down Burkina Faso’s defense. However, it wasn’t until just before halftime that the breakthrough came.

A free kick earned at the stroke of half-time was expertly delivered by Boniface Muchiri and found James Kinyanjui, who coolly slotted the ball home to give Kenya a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Kenya, determined to maintain their advantage, made strategic changes, including a triple substitution in the 67th minute. Darius Msagah, Chrispine Erambo, and Bajaber Mohammed were brought on to replace Michael Mutinda, James Kinyanjui, and Kelly Madada, adding energy to Kenya’s play.

As the clock ticked toward full time, Burkina Faso capitalised on a momentary lapse in Kenya’s backline. Aboubacar Traore, netted an equaliser in the 89th minute, sealing the full time score at 1-1.

“It was a difficult game, it was a first game and you know the first game always has its own challenges, sometimes players have some difficult being the first match but the way they handled then game, I think we are satisfied,” Kimanzi told Pan-Africa Football.

“But I feel we can do better than we did, we can push more than we did but that is football, they really pushed themselves but it was not enough to give us a good result, the first game always gives the player a panic mood, because they are yet to get used to the intensity of the tournament.

“Like today we conceded late in the game the players panicked because they wanted to protect their lead but it never worked and they also wanted to maintain their good level of the game, protect the 1-0 result and even get a second goal, so it became tough for them.”

Kimanzi concluded: “We now shift focus to the next game, we know it will be tough but we will prepare well and get ready to get a win.”

Harambee Stars now shift their focus to their second tournament match against hosts Tanzania, scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025.