 AN Ex-Kenya Internationals 11 team beat a Kenyan Premier League Chairman’s 11 team 2-1 in a thrilling match at the National Stadium, Nairobi. The clash curtain-raised the season-opening Champions Cup fixture between AFC Leopards and Sofapaka.
It was a rare treat for Kenyan national team supporters to see so many legendary players on show. Esteemed midfielder and goal scorer Allan Thigo, the one who played for the team in the most distant past, was still flashy since he last wore the Kenya shirt in 1979. Spectacular winger Aggrey Lukoye, who played his last Harambee Stars match in 1980, was still great on the left flank.
It was unequalled striker Joe “JJ” Masiga, who captained the Harambee Stars in his last match in 1985, who brought the house down by smashing high into the Chairman’s 11 net from his customary 25 metres to score the first goal for the veterans in the 15th minute.
Mike Amwayi replaced Aggrey Lukoye in the second half and scored the second from close range in the 62nd minute. The ball had been crossed from the right past the face of goal and Amwayi had an easy task guiding it through an empty goal.
The Chairman’s 11 had a lot of colour. The brightest was Elly Kalekwa, the owner of Kenya champion club Sofapaka and newly elevated Kenyan Premier League chairman, striking for his invitational team.
Kalekwa, a dashing centre forward, was at the end of the game’s first dangerous attack and his big on-target shot troubled Omar Shaban.
Thika United FC secretary Mike Muriuki scored the Chairman’s 11 goal.
Ex-Kenya Internationals XI -
1. Omar Shaban (AFC Leopards)
15.Tobias Ocholla (Gor Mahia), last Kenya cap, 1987
17. Sammy Omollo (Gor Mahia), = = =, 2002
16. Reginald Asibwa (AFC Leopards)
8. Patrick “Omar Bongo” Shilasi (AFC Leopards)
6. Austin Oduor (Gor Mahia), = = = 1991
4. Allan Thigo (Gor Mahia), = = = = 1979
5. Josephat Murila (AFC Leopards) = = = 1987
11. Aggrey Lukoye (AFC Leopards), = = = 1980
7. James Nandwa (Utalii), = = = 1993
9. Joe “JJ” Masiga (AFC Leopards), = = =1985 (Harambee Stars captain)
Reserves - 10. Patrick Shim (AFC Leopards), 12. Ricky Solomon (Mwenge), 14. Mukobe Onyiko (--), 3. Johnson “Tasso” Kefa (AFC Leopards), 19. Eric “Sketty” Rigo (Mwenge), 2. Justus Muhati (AFC Leopards), 8. Richard Asabe (Express, Uganda), Mike Amwayi (AFC Leopards), = = = =1985, Henry Majimbo (Kimbo FC)
Coach - George Sunguti (AFC Leopards), = = = 1996
Team manager - Peter Lichungu (AFC Leopards) | 
