Kenya National men’s football team Harambee stars encountered a defeat yesterday night against Iran in an international friendly match. The stars marked their long awaited return to action with a 2-1 loss in Iran,the match that was held in Azad stadium,Tehran.
The team captain Michael Olunga had fired Stars ahead in the 50th minute, but goals from Mohammad Mohebbi and Ramin Rezaeian on 76 and 85 minutes ensured Team Melli maintained their dominance over the visitors side.
It was the first match for Harambee Stars in over a year following Kenya’s suspension by worlds governing Football Federatio FIFA from February 24 to November 27 last year due to government interference. Heading into the match, Firat had admitted that his side, who are ranked 101 globally, stood no chance to upset the 24th placed Iran.
Iran has now defeated Kenya in all three meetings. The two teams first clashed in a friendly match on April 21, 1997 in Tehran with the hosts winning 3-0. They again met on March 14, 2009 in another friendly match in Tehran, which Iran triumphed by a solitary goal.
