Austin Odhiambo and Byrne Omondi were standout performers in Kenya’s impressive 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the ongoing 2024 COSAFA Cup. The win not only knocked Zimbabwe out of the tournament but also secured Kenya’s spot in the semi-finals, setting the stage for the Emerging Stars to make a deep run in the competition being held in South Africa.

Here’s how each player fared in the match:

GK – Byrne Omondi – 8
Byrne Omondi was outstanding at the back. His distribution was flawless throughout the afternoon, and he even provided the assist for Benson Omala’s goal. Omondi also organized his defenders well and made a crucial save in the first half, demonstrating his superior command of the area.

RB – Alphonce Omija – 7
Playing on the right side of a back three, Alphonce Omija was excellent, especially in the second half as he pushed forward to create overloads. He marked his man effectively and combined well with right wing-back Rooney Onyango, showing growing confidence with each game.

CB – Amos Wanjala – 8
Amos Wanjala proved why he has been receiving so much praise since emerging from St. Anthony’s Boys’ Kitale. The Gimnastic Tarragona player had some naive moments, understandable due to his youth, but he also had brilliant ones. He played a key role in the first goal with an accurate pass from the back, leading to Austin Odhiambo’s strike.

CB – Sylvester Owino – 7
Like Wanjala, Sylvester Owino had some shaky moments of concentration lapses that could have been costly, particularly in the first half. However, he made up for it with his recovery pace and steadied himself in the second half.

LB – Geoffrey Onyango – 7
Returning to the side after being dropped for the Comoros match, Geoffrey Onyango performed well at left wing-back in possession and as a left-back off it. He stretched the play down the left and delivered a steady performance.

CM – Kayci Odhiambo – 7
Starting ahead of John ‘Champe’ Ochieng, Kayci Odhiambo was instrumental in the team’s build-up play. He dropped between the center backs to receive the ball and make line-breaking passes. He looked comfortable throughout and should retain his spot in the semi-finals.

CM – Chris Erambo – 7
Chris Erambo displayed great energy in a box-to-box role, contributing both offensively and defensively when needed.

AM – Austin Odhiambo – 9
The official man of the match, Austin Odhiambo was central to all the positive play for Kenya. He broke lines effectively and scored a fantastic goal. His free-roaming role allowed him to create overloads and he showed why he has been receiving accolades over the past year.

CM – Benson Omala – 8
Benson Omala capped off a good display by scoring the second goal. He ran the channels well and was diligent in his defensive duties. While he may struggle with linking play due to a heavy touch, he is progressing well towards becoming a dependable player for the main team.

LW – Hassan Beja – 5
Hassan Beja had a forgettable afternoon. Despite being included in the lineup for his pace on the counter-attack, he was frequently dispossessed and his touch was heavy. His runs were poorly timed, leading to his substitution at halftime.

RW – Rooney Onyango – 8
Displaying a captain’s performance, Rooney Onyango continued his streak of good form since debuting for Kenya last October. His early crosses were crucial, including the one that set up Austin Odhiambo’s opening goal.

With this performance, the Emerging Stars of Kenya have demonstrated their potential and will be looking to carry this momentum into the semi-finals.