Sporting Kansas City midfielder Lawrence Olum played 64 minutes in Kenya’s 1-1 draw with Comoros on Friday. Kenya’s 2-1 aggregate victory sent the Harambee Stars to the second round of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Olum, who made his competitive debut for Kenya in their 1-0 first leg win on May 18, started in defense and helped keep Comoros goalless before his exit midway through the second half. Olum will now return to Sporting KC and be available to play against the Houston Dynamo next Friday.
Kenya went ahead in the 56th minute when 21-year-old forward Ayub Timbe scored his first international goal. Timbe, who plays club soccer for Belgian side Genk, curled in a free kick from a tight angle near the left edge of the box to give the visitors a 2-0 aggregate advantage.
Comoros replied in the 72nd minute as Yacin Saandi tapped in from close range. The hosts pressured for the remainder of the match, but Kenya preserved its 2-1 aggregate lead to the final whistle.
Kenya will play the winner of Liberia vs. Lesotho in a two-legged second round qualifier. Liberia beat Lesotho 1-0 in the first leg, with the second leg scheduled for Sunday. The home-and-away second round qualifying series is scheduled for July 18-20 and Aug. 1-3.
The winner of the second round matchup would then advance to the group stage of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and would be paired with Burkina Faso, Angola and Gabon in Group C.
