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Iko shida: Millicent Omanga shares cryptic message after Eritrea frustrate Harambee Stars in Nairobi
27th September, 2026 12:09 AM
Nairobi Woman Representative aspirant Millicent Omanga has shared a cryptic message after Harambee Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Eritrea in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium.
In a Facebook post on the evening of Saturday, September 26, 2026, Omanga appeared to question Kenya’s failure to beat Eritrea at home while also pointing to the country’s qualification for the continental tournament.
“Ata kama tushaqualify Afcon…Mpira ya Kenya iko Shida! Sasa Eritrea ni team gani ya kudraw nayo…!” Omanga wrote.
Nyayo game
The message came shortly after the final whistle at Nyayo National Stadium, where Harambee Stars had been forced to come from behind to secure a point.
Kenya had gone into the match looking to begin their Group D campaign with a positive result, but the hosts found themselves trailing after Eritrea struck in the first half.
The visitors took the lead in the 36th minute after a defensive mix-up presented Nahom Girmai Netabay with an opportunity, which he converted past Kenya goalkeeper Bryne Omondi.
The goal gave the Red Sea Camels a 1-0 advantage that they carried into the halftime break, leaving Harambee Stars needing a response after the interval.
Kenya returned for the second half with greater attacking pressure as the hosts attempted to break down Eritrea’s defence and get back into the match.
The pressure eventually produced a late equaliser when substitute Ben Stanley Omondi delivered a cross that Ryan Ogam converted to bring Kenya level.
Ogam’s late intervention ensured Harambee Stars avoided defeat, but Kenya could not find a second goal before the final whistle and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
The result consequently gave both teams a point from their opening Group D encounter.
Omanga’s post came against the backdrop of a difficult build-up to the match, with Harambee Stars having endured a disrupted week before facing Eritrea.
The preparations were affected by the absence of captain and star striker Michael Olunga, who missed the encounter after being ruled out with an injury.
Olunga’s absence removed one of Kenya’s most prominent attacking options from the squad as McCarthy sought to find a way past an Eritrean side that eventually proved difficult to break down.
The draw also continued Kenya’s difficult competitive record against Eritrea.
The two sides had previously met in the 2008 AFCON qualifiers, with Eritrea winning both encounters.
Eritrea defeated Kenya 2-1 in Nairobi on September 2, 2006, before securing another victory in the return fixture, winning 1-0 on June 16, 2007.
The latest 1-1 result therefore extended Kenya’s wait for a competitive victory over Eritrea.
Despite the draw, Kenya’s place at the 2027 AFCON finals is already secured because the country is one of the three hosts of the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The qualification fixtures are nevertheless being used to provide competitive matches as the participating teams battle for places in the tournament, with Kenya drawn in Group D alongside Eritrea, Guinea and South Africa.
The opening fixture consequently gave McCarthy an opportunity to assess his players in a competitive setting, although the draw left Harambee Stars with only one point from the encounter.
Kenya will next travel to face Guinea on October 1, 2026, in their second Group D fixture.
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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