Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Kakamega Homeboyz forward found the back of the net in the 18th minute, to mark a memorable first game in national team colors. “I am not happy with how we played.
We were very slow and adapted to the Pakistan game because they put the tempo down. Pakistan played like a final, but our team was not in the shape that I wanted. 1-0 is not enough for me.
We have to do more,” said Stars coach Engin Firat. Shummah was one of three faces handed their national team debuts, with KCB goalkeeper Bryne Omondi and Finland-based defender Collins Sichenje also handed their senior team debuts.
Shummah found the back of the net in the 17th minute when he picked up the ball unmarked after it bounced off a Pakistan defender, He managed to stay calm and beat the keeper at his near post.
Stars had started brightly and their first sniff at goal was in the fifth minute was off a well orchestrated move that saw Amos Nondi find space on the right to whip in a low cross that was poked away for a corner right before Shummah pounced on it.
In the 27th minute, Pakistan defender Mahmoud Ali cleared the ball off the line to deny Shummah a second goal, the lanky forward having glanced a header from Richard Odada’s flick.
Odada, named man of the match, had put up a solid display in midfield and his combination with Teddy Akumu provided Stars with a steady block from where to build on.
In the second half, Stars continued dominating and Akumu came close to a goal on the hour mark when he was set up by Odada from the edge of the box, but his side footed shot went inches over the bar.
Pakistan however rallied in ethe final 20 minutes of the match, making the most of Stars’ sloppiness in possession. They had a shot on goal in the 79th minute, but debutant Bryne made a decent save. Stars will now shift their attention to the second and final match against hosts Mauritius on Sunday.
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