MACHAKOS, Kenya, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Frenchman Sebastian Migne endured a dispiriting start of his tenure as Kenya head coach when his side lost 1-0 to visiting Swaziland in an international friendly on Friday.
Wonder Nhleko scored the sole goal in the 78th minute to condemn Migne to a debut loss since taking charge of Harambee Stars earlier this month in a game his charges dominated from the onset at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
Kenya will play a second friendly on Monday against Equatorial Guinea at the southern town located 70km from the capital Nairobi.
The Frenchman had announced his intentions to improve Stars defensively and his team selection went along the same theme as he made changes across the rear guard handing Joash Onyango and Mike Kibwage their first caps as Eric Ouma, Jockins Atudo and Boniface Oluoch marked a return.
Ovella Ochieng', who was making his first start since scoring a wonder strike during the regional Cecafa Cup final at the same venue in December 2017 made a brilliant solo run down the right, then lost his footing in a promising position and Swaziland won the ball back through Banele Dlamini.
A bright start from the hosts saw them almost grab the lead when another debutant Philemon Otieno sent a teasing cross into the area using the outside of his right boot that was poorly cleared by Siboniso Ngwenya.
However, custodian Sandanezwe Mathabela came off his line to gather the loose ball with Ochieng' lurking. The best chance of the opening exchanges went to the visitors against the run of play.
Barry Steenkamp found Felix Bendenhorst with a low cross but the latter could not make a telling connection with Stars keeper, Boniface Oluoch off his line.
Then Francis Kahata had an opportunity after being played through by Duncan Otieno who waltzed past four white shirts but his shot was blocked by Ngwenya.
On the other end, Steenkamp stole the ball from a nervy Kibwage but Oluoch saved the youngster's blushes by racing off his line to intercept.
Mathabela denied Ochieng' from point blank range in Stars' next foray after the overlapping Ouma delivered a sumptuous cross into the area.
Moments later Ochieng' left Ngwenya for dead to step into the box in a one on one situation but Mathabela again read his finish to parry for a corner.
As the clock ticked past the half hour mark, Stars missed yet another glorious chance to grab the lead after midfielder Whyvonne Isuza's glancing header was inches from creeping inside the net after Otieno picked him out with a cross.
The tale of missed chances persisted as the break approached with Ngwenya producing a timely block to thwart Ochieng' and keep the score line level.
Migne introduced Piston Mutamba at the restart for Kibwage and the Wazito FC forward almost justified his introduction with a low drive eight minutes later that flashed narrowly wide.
The visitors replied sending Nhleko into the fray two minutes to the hour mark before Stars captain, defender Jockins Atudo made a weak attempt with a free header at the back post after Kahata picked him out with a left foot in-swinger from a corner.
Kahata turned provider shortly afterwards sending Mutamba clean through on goal with a clever through ball. The lanky striker did well to round Mathabela but he over hit his finish to the reprieve of Mathabela.
Kenya threw more men forward and Isuza won his side a free kick at the edge of the box. Ochieng stepped forward to take it and his effort was destined for the top corner until it cannoned off the bar with Mathabela static in goal.
With the handful of fans present rallying Stars to get the winner, the breakthrough arrived on the other end.
Ngwenya sent an innocuous looking early cross into the area that was poorly dealt with by Kenya's center halves and it fell kindly for Nhleko who made no mistake to sweep home from point blank range.
Desperate to salvage at least a draw, Migne introduced Bolton Omwenga late on but the lack of cutting edge upfront continued.
Mutamba sent a cross towards the back post but Ochieng' hurried his connection and the ball bounced off him for a goal kick.
The last chance to restore parity fell to Mutamba who watched in dismay as his solid header from Omwenga's delivery from a free kick crashed on the cross bar with Mathabela well beaten.
