Home team Sofapaka handed visiting Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 defeat in a round nine Premier League game played at Wundanyi Stadium on Saturday 23 January 2021.
Ambrose Sifuna came off the bench to volley home a cross ball in the 73rd minute on the left for the lone goal of the game as Sofapaka registered a ninth win over City Stars in 17 encounters since year 2009.
As early as the second minute Isaac Mitima’s smacked a long ranger that City Stars keeper Steve Njunge forced out for a fruitless corner.
That duly informed the visitors the intent of the hosts who had loads of chances in the first half to take the lead.
Six minutes later stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla was called upon to clear a dangerous header from Sofapaka skipper Elli Asieche.
On 17 minutes City Stars striker Erick Ombija saw his aim for goal off an assist by Sven Yidah fall on the safe hands of custodian Simon Masika.
Despite the chances created for the rest of the half it ended barren at the break.
At the hour mark, Mitima had his header from Nixon Omondi’s cross fly just wide. But 13 minutes later all changed when a Sifuna met a long diagonal ball delivered by stopper Michael Kibwage to one-time it home from a tight angle.
City Stars had the ball at the back of the net in the 83rd minute when substitute Oliver Maloba fed Davis Agesa to tap home. It was however called for offside to the dismay of the visiting team who also felt they should have been awarded a late penalty.
With that overturn, Sifuna’s goal for Sofapaka turned out to be the separator in the game.
With the win Batoto ba Mungu moved up to eighth on the 18-team log with ten points to sit just behind City Stars on goal difference.
Up next for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 30 January 2021 starting 3pm.
Lineups
Sofapaka: 99. Simon Masika, 22. Michael Bodo, 28. Nixon Omondi (11. Ambrose Sifuna – 65), 23. Isaac Mitima, 12. Michael Kibwage, 3. Willis Obayi, 14. Brian Nyakhan, 66. Sunday Ikekhai, 50. Kepha Aswani (55. Paul Kiongera-54), 17. Elli Asieche-Captain (4. Mohammed Kilume-85), 20. Titus Achesa
Unused subs: 35. Kevin Omondi, 2. Brian Maganya, 25.Sammy Imbuye, 19. Michael Kramor, 27. Stephen Okala, 10. Roy Okal
Coach: Ken Odhiambo
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, , 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera (29. Ebrima Sanneh-80), 18. Sven Yidah (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-77), 20. Timothy Ouma (21. Oliver Maloba-46), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija (3. Charles Otieno-77), 11. Davis Agesa,
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 27. Azizi Okaka
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 5. Wesley Onguso, , 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa (muscle tear), 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Yellow cards: Salim Abdallah – 53, Erick Ombija -71 (Nairobi City Stars)
Goals: 11. Ambrose Sifuna-73 (Sofapaka)
Match Officials: David Kakunyi (Match Comm), Broke Fide (Centre Ref), Aden Tichicha (AR1), Churchil Omondi (AR2), Dancan Ogosi (Reserve Ref)