AFCON 2019: Kenya’s chances of progressing depends on Group F and E results

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 2 Jul, 2019 17:28 | 2 mins read

Kenya will now have to wait for the outcome of Tuesday's Group F and Group E matches to know their fate of proceeding to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 knock-out stages.

Harambee Stars' chances of progression depends on the outcome of Cameroon versus Benin match and Mali versus Angola contest.

Should Benin lose to Cameroon and Angola lose to Mali, it would then mean Kenya would be the fourth best third-placed team in the frame to progress to the AFCON 2019 round of 16.

DR Congo and Guinea have already taken the first two slots leaving Kenya to battle it out with South Africa, Benin and Mali for the remaining two spots.

Though, South Africa and Kenya both have three points, the Bafana Bafana are in advantageous position considering they have a superior goal difference compared to Kenya, who have a negative four goals.

Benin and Angola with a game to play, are sitting in the third position with two points and zero goal difference each.

A win for Benin and Angola will mathematically place them ahead of Kenya and South Africa with five points each.

A strike from forward, Ismaila Sarr, and brace from Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, including a penalty, in the second half ended Kenya’s hopes of getting a direct ticket to the AFCON 2019 round of 16.

Harambee Stars started strongly in the first half as goalkeeper Patrick Matasi dived to his right to save Mane's spot kick.

Kenya pinned Senegal's Lions of Teranga in their half in the first 10 minutes of play, but created very little to trouble the West Africans.

The Harambee Stars defence was finally breached in the 63rd minute as Matasi failed to intercept a cross that Sarr converted to the net.

Sebastian Migne's side needed at least a draw to be guaranteed qualification to the next round with four points.

(Additional reporting by Brian Karani)