Harambee Stars remained winless in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after a slender 1-0 defeat at the hands of Guinea in a clash staged at the Stade 28 Septembre in Conakry on Thursday, 1 October.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsSerhou Guirassy's first-half strike proved decisive as Guinea held off Kenya's second-half pressure to secure their first victory of the qualifying campaign.The meeting marked the first clash between the two nations in 18 years. Kenya won the opening leg 2-0 before Guinea claimed a 3-2 victory in the return fixture in Conakry during the qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.MPs raise concerns about Talanta Stadium ahead of AFCON 2027Both sides entered Thursday's encounter searching for their first win of the Group D campaign. Kenya had opened their qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea, while Guinea suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Africa.Guinea started brightly and threatened inside the opening 10 minutes when Yadaly Diaby combined with Seydouba Cisse before firing narrowly wide from outside the box.Cisse was involved again moments later, collecting a pass from Guirassy at the edge of the area, but his hurried effort sailed over the crossbar.##NAJAVA_MECA_9994823##Kenya gradually settled and almost broke the deadlock against the run of play. Duke Abuya picked out Gor Mahia forward Ben-Stanley Omondi inside the box, but his curling effort was blocked.Guinea responded through Abdulkarim Traore, who picked up the ball inside the 18-yard area and curled an effort that struck the post.Kenya continued to threaten, with Mohamed Bajaber coming close in the 25th minute after receiving a pass from Real Sociedad midfielder Job Ochieng, but his low effort missed the target by inches.🔴 As it happened: Serhou Guirassy's strike sinks Harambee StarsGuinea eventually broke the deadlock eight minutes before halftime. Guirassy reacted quickest after Kenya failed to clear a loose ball, with the Borussia Dortmund forward driving his effort underneath goalkeeper Bryne Omondi to put the hosts ahead.Kenya nearly levelled before the interval when Micah Obiero connected with Chrispine Erambo's delivery, but his powerful effort went narrowly wide. Guinea then threatened to double their advantage through Traore, only for Omondi to race off his line and make a timely save.Stars returned from the break with renewed purpose. Ochieng raced through midfield after receiving from Stanley but failed to find the target, before Abuya's effort from the edge of the box skimmed over the bar.##NAJAVA_MECA_9995886##Guinea had an opportunity to extend their lead 20 minutes from time when Traore attempted to scoop Omondi after a defensive lapse.Kenya pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Ryan Ogam testing the hosts after connecting with Frank Odhiambo's long ball, but his effort sailed over.Benni McCarthy's men continued to press late on, but Guinea's defense held firm to secure a 1-0 victory and move onto three points.Miheso takes football sabbatical to pursue Master's at prestigious Dutch institutionThe result leaves Kenya third in Group D with a point, with South Africa leading on six points following their 5-0 win over Eritrea and Guinea moving second on three as the qualification race heads into its next phase.
9