Al Ahly striker Amr Gamal scored the all important goal in 56th minute after Kenya defenders switched off following a long ball that could not be cleared.
Bobby Williamson started his reign as Kenyan coach on a sour note after Harambee Stars went down 1-0 to Egypt in a friendly match played at Aswan Stadium on Saturday night.
Al Ahly striker Amr Gamal scored the all important goal in 56th minute after Kenya defenders switched off following a long ball that could not be cleared inside the danger zone.
Zamalek dangerman Momen Zakaria unleashed a long cross from dip his own half and Kenyan defenders failed to clear the ball allowing Gamal, who had hit the post a few minutes earlier, slice the ball past goalkeeper Wilson Obungu.
Williamson refused to put blame on defenders for the goal and took his time to hail fighting spirit by the team. "Honestly we did not deserve to lose this match. We played well and were dangerous in most occasions but that is football.
"We should stop pointing fingers at how we let in or conceded that goal and instead, be happy with some of the positives we have picked from this fixture," the Scot told Goal after the match.
Williamson, who replaced sacked Adel Amrouche and was handling Kenya for the first time, opted to hand Sony Sugar defender Charles Odette a starting role. Odette was paired to start alongside Noah Wafula and Jackson Saleh of AFC Leopards' whereas Aboud Omar of Tusker started as the left back.
Egypt, who had seasoned goalkeeper Esam El Hadry, were the better side in opening exchanges with Zamalek striker Khalid Kamar testing Obungu with long range shots.
Dennis Odhiambo, who was the captain of the day for Kenya, controlled the midfield well alongside Humphrey Mieno and the two combined in 12th minute to release Noah Wafula, but the striker's feeble shot could not trouble El Hadry.
The Pharaohs then forced their first corner in 28th minute but Obungu did well to stop a poweful shot from Sabry Raheal. Egypt continued to press for an opener and Obungu was once again called upon to deny Kamar (Khalid), who had sneaked past Kenyan defenders - Edwin Wafula and Jackson Saleh.
AFC Leopards' striker Wafula looked lively from franks tormenting Egyptian defenders and at one point laid a good pass to Mieno, who unleashed a shot that went wide. With the match heading to half-time, goalkeeper Obungu was once again forced to save Kenya after stopping another dangerous shot from Khalid Kamar.
On resumption, Williamson rung changes bringing out Obungu for Wycillife Kasaya and Goddfrey Kataka replacing Brian Osumba. Williamson had opted for a one man attack, with Tusker striker Jesse Were being tasked to get goals.
Were was marked out by Egyptian defenders and this prompted Williamson to withdraw Noah Wafula for Harrison Mwendwa so as the latter could assist Were from the middle. But the Egyptian remained dangerous with Kasaya making two saves in succesion.
First Kasaya dived full stretch to deny Hossam Ghaly from an header and then was spot on to keep the scores 1-0 after conceding a corner from a well worked move by the Egyptians.
Kenya: Wilson Obungu, Edwin Wafula, Charles Odette, Jackson Saleh, Aboud Omar, David Odhiambo, Humphrey Mieno, Noah Wafula, David Kingatua, Brian Osumba and Jesse Were. Subs: Kasaya, Omumbo, Sammy Meja, John Ndirangu, Kago Dunson, Harrison Mwendwa and Godfrey Kataka.
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