Harambee Stars Striker On Target In Reysol Defeat Against Osaka

Micheal Olunga found the back of the net but Kashiwa Reysol bowed 2-1 to Gamba Osaka in Saturday’s J1 league match at Panasonic Stadium in Suita on Saturday.

Olunga started in front for the Nélson Baptista’s side and he did well to maintain his top spot on the scorers’ chart with 23 goals after 24 round of Japanese top-flight league.

As expected, Osaka had a dominating start, but they had to wait until the second stanza with Kim Seung-gyu scoring an opener in the 52nd minute.

Olunga netted an equalizer in the 80th minute when he got a defence-splitting pass in the box from Ataru Esaka before sending a powerful shot past goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi.

Nine minutes later, Ademlison restored Osaka’s lead with a brilliant goal that wrapped the entertaining game, where Reysol missed a host of chances.

The defeat saw Reysol drop to ninth in the J1 League standings, but Olunga remains top of the goal scorers’ chart with 23 in the league this season, 10 clear of closest challenger Everaldo.

Kenya will be looking upon the former Gor Mahia and Thika United star to lead their onslaught against Africa Cup of Nations qualification rivals Comoros in November.