Friday, May 30, 2014

Olum and Kenya Advance in ACN Qualifying

Lawrence Olum and the Kenyan national team advanced in their efforts to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Morocco after a 1-1 draw with Comoros in Moroni, the country's capital. The draw means that Kenya advances 2-1 on aggregate after their 1-0 win in Nairobi a few weeks ago.

Like the first match up, Olum started and played just over an hour for the Harambee Stars before subbing out with Kenya leading 1-0 thanks to a 58th minute goal by Ayub Masika. Comoros found a lifeline when Yacine Saandi scored in the 72nd to tie the game, but Kenya held on to advance.

Kenya will now play the winner of the Liberia and Lesotho match. The first leg saw Liberia win 1-0. The second leg is tomorrow. The game dates for that home and away series are set for July 18th-20th for the first leg and August 1st-3rd for the second leg.

What this means is that if Olum is called up again for Kenya, he'll miss at least three league games (LA on the 19th, at Toronto on the 26th, and Philadelphia on the 1st), possibly four (Columbus 16th), and the friendly against Manchester city on the 23rd. Thankfully KC will have Matt Besler back by then, but it'll still leave KC short defensively again.

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