Peter Opiyo’s late penalty and a determined fightback to the end by Nairobi City Stars were not enough as Wazito hang to two first half goals to win a sixth round Premier League game 2-1 at Utalii grounds on Sunday 3 January 2021.
Kevin Kimani was the toast for Wazito as he scored a brace off assists by winger Boniface Omondi.
Kimani’s first arrived in the 16th minute after he was picked at the blind unmarked by a right sided cross from Omondi to fire past former Wazito keeper Steve Njunge.
In the 42nd minute he doubled the scores via the penalty spot after left back Herit Mungai brought down Omondi in the box.
With ten minutes left Anthony Muki Kimani was brought down in the box after meeting a cross from left winger John Kamau – making his Premier debut for City Stars – and Pinchez stepped up to score his first goal in City Stars colors.
The goal came two minutes after stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla had just missed to place home a long range freekick from the left by Muki.
Early in the game, in the eight minute, Oliver Maloba picked out Muki in the box but he shot wide.
Five minutes after the opening goal Wazito could have made it 2-0 but a point-blank close range shot by Michael Owino was blocked by Shitu.
On 36 minutes Njunge in City Stars was on high alert to parry off a left cross from the Omondi for a fruitless corner.
City Stars response was immediate as two minutes later right back Azizi Okaka swung a cross into the box but it missed the attention of Ezekiel Odera and Muki to go wide.
Muki could have atoned for that miss when he dinked a rather tame shot goalward only for it to bounce off the cross bar with Odhiambo in Wazito goal seemingly beaten.
The second half saw City Stars up the ante but Wazito played in safe countering any upward move. And that’s how it ended with the hosts carrying the day.
In spite of the loss City Stars maintains fifth place with eight points as Wazito moved to the same tally to sit seventh on goal difference.
Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday 9th January 2021.
Lineups
Wazito: 1. Peter Odhiambo, 3. Dennis Ng’ang’a, 4. Bernard Ochieng, 44. Johnstone Omurwa, 15. Dennis Shikayi, 12. Fidel Origa, 36. Kevin Kimani, 25. Musa Masika, 11. Whyvonne Isuza (21. Amos Asembeka-90), 10. Boniface Omondi (7. Vincent Oburu-84), 9. Michael Owino (14. Joe Waithera-77)
Un used subs: 77. Bixente Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 2. David Otieno, 19. Joshua Nyatini, 30. Ali Hassan, 24. Maurice Ojwang
Coach: Francis Kimanzi
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka (15. John Kamau-62), 10. Peter Opiyo,18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Ouma (22. Wycliffe Otieno-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-62)
Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 8. Calvin Masawa, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 12. Edwin Buliba, 3. Charles Otieno
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 29. Ebrima Sanneh (rehab), 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu, (both sick), 16. Jacob Osano, 5. Wesley Onguso, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 19. Jimmy Bageya,
Coach: Nihad Nalbantic (for Sanjin Alagic)
Yellow cards: 11. Whyvonne Isuza-23’, Johnstone Omurwa-44, Dennis Nganga-88, (Wazito), Herit Mungai-39’, Anthony Kimani -55’ (Nairobi City Stars)
Goals: Kevin Kimani (17, 35-Pen – Wazito), Peter Opiyo (80-Pen – Nairobi City Stars)
Match Officials: Sylvester Kirwa (Match Comm), Collins Opiyo (centre referee), Jane Cherono (AR1), Boniface Gikonyo (AR2), Elizabeth Muturi (Reserve Ref)