- Title: KENYA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Kenya defeat Namibia One - Nil in World Cup qualifier
- Date: 10th September 2008
- Summary: MORE OF NAMIBIAN TEAM WARMING UP FANS CHEERING KENYAN AND NAMIBIA TEAM WALKING ON TO PITCH FOR THE MATCH
- Embargoed: 25th September 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA53V2ACHQRTEVA6IV41O7IYI0A
- Story Text: Kenya strengthen their chance of World Cup qualification with 1-0 home win over Namibia, after returning from a recent FIFA suspension.
World Cup fever gripped the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Saturday (September 6) when Kenya faced Namibia in one of several World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers played across the continent at the weekend.
Thousands of enthusiastic Kenyan fans streamed into the Moi International Sports Centre on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital, several hours before kick-off.
Fans who could not make it to the stadium, gathered around big TV screens in bars and restaurants across the country to watch the game.
Kenyans were not disappointed when the Harambee Stars took the lead courtesy of a 44th minute penalty by midfielder Jamal Mohammed after left-back John Njoroge had been tripped in the penalty area.
"Kenya was a little bit better than us, they played us away and we made some mistakes. They scored a penalty, a deserved penalty like I said already. On the second half, I think Namibia was better than Kenya. They created a lot of chances, we could have a penalty and I think we deserved at least one point, but on the first half Kenya was better," Namibia's coach, Tom Saintfelt said.
Kenya needed to beat Namibia's Brave Warriors to have realistic chance to qualify into the next group phase.
"We played under less pressure because we were under intense pressure, because we need three points - to keep the group more competitive.
But they were playing for if they'd lose they don't care, if they win to them its ok. But they were playing without any pressure we realise they were very settled, if they were under a lot of pressure then it would have been a better match," Kenyan coach, Francis Kimanzi said.
The victory pushed Kenya to the top of Group Two, three points ahead of second-placed Guinea, who played a goal-less draw with Zimbabwe on Sunday (September 8).
One Kenyan supporter, Eric Kamau said this was Kenya's year.
"Actually, I believe this is a year that Kenya is going to write history. It has actually written history in most places, in Olympics, in the Grand Coalition and now in football we are going to 2010 in South Africa. I believe we are going to be there and its actually every Kenyan should start saving for South Africa," he said.
Kenya have twice been suspended by FIFA in recent years for political interference in the running of the football federation.
The top 20 teams from the second round of the Africa World Cup qualifiers go through to the last phase, which starts in March. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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