A brace of goals from Kelvin Etemesi, a debut goal by Dennis Wanjala, and two more goals by Vincent Owino and Samuel Kapen led Nairobi City Stars to a 5-2 win over Vihiga Bullets during a matchday 26 tie in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 16 April 2023.
The visitors got their goals from striker Joseph Oyugi in the 41st minute via a penalty, and an added time goal – an own goal by center-back Kenedy Onyango.
Etemesi scored in the 3rd and 15th minutes, for his third brace in the last five games to improve his haul for the season to six goals, off assists by Mohammed Bajaber, and Clifford Ouma.
Wanjala added the third two minutes after Etemesi’s second with a long-range shot from Andrew Kisilu’s layup that beat the Vihiga United keeper Reuben Nyongesa all the way.
Owino scored in successive games after placing home Ezekiel Odera’s assist in the 78th minute, before Kapen made it goal number six for the season with a rifled shot to the roof in the 87th minute of a Dennis Oalo assist.
Bullets got their first after Edwin Buliba felled Nicholas Masamba in the box before a quick throw-in led to an own goal just as the game was coming to a close.
With three new points, Simba wa Nairobi moved to the 23-point mark and up one place to 15th spot as Bullets remained rooted in the 18th spot with eight points.
Next up for City Stars is an away game to Kariobangi Sharks at the same Annex on Saturday 22 April 2023 starting at 1 p.m.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango-captain 2, 5. *Timothy Muganda, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino (21. James Mazembe-85), 31. Mohammed Bajaber (9. Dennis Oalo-59) , 30. Anthony Kimani-captain 1 (22. Samuel Kapen-59), 11. Andrew Kisilu (15. Newton Ochieng-79), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (32. Ezekiel Odera-79)
Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 4. Salim Abdallah, 6. Ronney Kola, 8. Calvin Masawa
* Kenyan Premier League debut
Out: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 16. Jacob Osano, 17. Abuyeka Kubasu, 28. Herit Mungai, 29. Levis Okello
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Vihiga Bullets: 26. Reuben Nyongesa, 4. Peter Halwange (5. Rajab Kagota-27), 2. Daniel Masenge, 3. Norman Werunga, 15. Denilson Imbayi, 13. Derrick Tekkwo (20. Hillary Ndombi-27), 17. Timonah Wanyonyi (14. James Owino-27), 6. Edwin Omonya, 9. Joseph Oyugi, 7. Frederick Ochieng, 10. Nicholas Masamba
Unused subs: 1. Wiliam Madanda, 18. Hillary Mudora, 19. Felix Otieno, 8. Patrick Ong’aya, 12. Leachie Odhiambo, 11. David Chesoli, 16. Clinton Ishuga
Coach: Milton Kidiga
Cautions
Nairobi City Stars: 5. Timothy Muganda (42), 18. Clifford Ouma (72),
Vihiga Bullets: 20. Hillary Ndombi (77), 14. James Owino (85)
Goals
Nairobi City Stars: 20. Kelvin Etemesi (3,15), 26. Dennis Wanjala (17), 19. Vincent Owino (78), 22. Samuel Kapen (87)
Vihiga Bullets:9. Joseph Oyugi (41-Pen), 25. Kenedy Onyango (90+2 – Own goal)