Nairobi City Stars returned to winning ways with a 3-1 come-from-behind triumph over hosts Modern Coast Rangers at Serani Sports Club, Mombasa, in a National Super League (NSL) round 16 tie on Saturday 23 November 2019.
Striker Davis Agesa scored a brace as Simba wa Nairobi came from behind for the win that brought a steak of two barren draws in the preceding games to an end.
Juma Maulidi breached the City Stars backline that had gone three games without conceding for the games’ opening goal on 18 minutes for the hosts to carry a 1-0 lead to the break.
Maulidi’s goal served as the perfect teaser as Agesa was to strike twice in nine minutes in the second half to mute the perfect comeback.
His leveler, a header, was scored 12 minutes after the breather after he connected to a perfectly weighted float from right back Kevin ‘Çhumsy’ Okumu. He followed it up with a volley in the 66th minute to complete his brace.
Seven minutes later it was all over after Jimmy ‘LaLiga’ Bageya sent a scorching screamer home to seal the win.
With the latest win City Stars shot to the 40-point mark to open a nine-point lead over Nairobi Stima and Vihiga United who play on Sunday.
In the Coastal game head Coach Sanjin Alagic had four changes in his starting cast. Regular striker Ebrima Sanneh from Gambia was left on the bench due to a slight ankle injury suffered in training days to the game. Youngster Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno started in his place.
With left back Wesley Onguso out of the squad due to illness, skipper Calvin Masawa earned a starting berth as did Elvis Ojiambo who started ahead of regular Charles Otieno. Bageya was in for David Gateri on the left wing. Noah Abich and Stephen Jeffa Mweni were the new additions to the bench.
Lineup
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 17. Davis Agesa (19. Stephen Jeffa Mweni), 18. Jimmy Bageya, 21. Oliver Maloba (25. David Gateri), 16. Vincent Otieno (3. Charles Otieno)
Unused subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 24. Cornelius Mwangi, 29. Ebrima Sanneh
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Modern Coast Rangers: 1. Said Dhadho, 70. Hassan Yakubu, 12. Victor Onyango, 14. Samwel Ate, 8. John Mwita, 81. Collins Odim, 21. Yusuf Osman, 11. George Ian, 17. Elijah Mwanzia, 27. Juma Bakari, 23. Eric Kimanzi
Subs: 28. Silas Oduor, 5. Josephat Oyugi, 19. Innocent Kiprotich, 31. Johnstone Andele, 3. Hassan Juma
Coach: Mohammed A. Mchula