A second half penalty from Ezekiel Odera ensured Nairobi City Stars beat Kenya Police 2-1 at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday 29 February 2020 in a Betika Super League (BSL) match day 26 tie.
Odera’s goal from the spot after a Police player had handled in the box completed a City Stars comeback to complete a season double over Police.
The visitors went up first when a counter attack saw City Stars keeper Levis Opiyo hack down a Police player on the edge of the box. Skipper David Oluoch stepped up to plant home the resultant six-yarder in the seventh minute.
With minutes to the end of the first half, Peter Pinchez Opiyo was brought down by Police centre back George Gaunya after bursting into the box following his receipt of a long ball from City Stars backyard. He dusted himself up to score his maiden goal for City Stars sending the teams’ level at 1-1 heading to the break.
The win margin could have been bigger had the outstanding Davis Agesa not been denied by Police custodian Juma no less than on three occasions – twice following perfect crosses from right winger Azizi Okaka.
The Toyoyo win was the first ever while hosting Police adding on to a 3-2 first leg win in October last year.
With all spoils on offer from the penalty laden tie, City Stars moved to the 58-point mark from 24 matches to improve their gap over tenth placed Police to 25 points.
Simba wa Nairobi are now seven points clear of second placed Bidco United. While City Stars won on Saturday, Bidco went down 3-0 at home in Thika to visiting St. Joseph’s from Nakuru.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars
23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvin Masawa (Captain), 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 25. David Gateri (15. John Kamau), 27. Azizi Okaka (12. Edwin Buliba), 32. Ezekiel Odera (19. Jimmy Bageya), 11. Davis Agesa
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 17. Noah Abich. 3. Eric Ochieng, 5. Wesley Onguso
Yellow cards; Davis Agesa x2 (red card), Elvis Ojiambo
Kenya Police
37. Reuben Juma, 25. Michael Anyonga, 24. George Gaunya, 29. Philip Ochieng, 26. Steve Baraza, 22. Samson Ndungu, 6. Martin Mutua, 77. Soita Silicho, 7. David Oluoch, 20. Alvin Mang’eni, 35. Hillary Ojwang
Subs: Vincent Odhiambo, 2. Ambrose Kula, 21. Clinton Kinanga, 12. Peter Njoroge, 65. Said Jillo, 14. Peter Mwaura, 17. Abbas Khadeyo
Coach: Charles Omondi