Nairobi City Stars suffered a second straight defeat after going down 2-1 to Kariobangi Sharks in a tenth round Premier League tie at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 30 January 2021.
Julius Masaba sent Sharks 1-0 at the quarter hour mark with a cheeky lob and the response from City Stars came 20 minutes later when striker Davis Agesa sent home the ball off a flick from Wycliffe Otieno into the box from a throw in from skipper Peter Opiyo.
It was Agesa’s maiden Premier League goal in the game that saw City Stars and Sharks face off for the first time ever in the Premier League.
Sharks however had the last laugh when a long ball in the 81st minute found lead stiker Erick Kapaito who slammed home the ball with a low drive for maximum points.
While Sharks recovered from two straight losses against Tusker (4-2) and AFC Leopards (2-0), City Stars will be left to rue missed chances.
Agesa had no less than three chances inside the first 16 minutes. But he fired once just above bar, straight at Sharks keeper Brian Bwire, and a follow up shot just wide.
Four minutes after the hour mark saw stopper Kenedy Onyango sneak at the blind to meet Opiyo’s freekick only for the ball to whisk wide from his bullet header.
With five minutes to the break, Sharks midfielder Omoto met a perfect cross in the box only to sky the ball when it seemed easier to score.
Two minutes into the second half, Erick Ombija, the 2019/20 National Super League top scorer (17 goals) disposesed stopper Geoffrey Lemu to advance at goal. But within meters of the posts, he dilly dallied to allow Bwire steal the ball off his feet to waste yet another glorious chance for City Stars.
Eight minutes later it was the turn of Kapaito to shoot at goal but instead got a fruitless corner.
Daniel Sakari who came on for skipper Eric Juma tilted proceedings Sharks way and one of his crosses found Oyugi in the 61st minute. His shot ended up on the side netting.
The next few minutes saw Sakari cut in on the left flank only to sky his effort from close range and on the other end Ombija had a response. But once in the box he failed to place the ball home.
Then came the moment that won it for Sharks; a long ball from Tom Teka found Kapaito who wasted no time in delivering all spoils with the winning goal at the far post past keeper Steve Njunge.
With the latest loss City Stars drops to tenth with ten points as Sharks stays put at fifth with 18 points, four off the top.
Next up for City Stars is an away game to Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday 6 February 2021 at the Bukhungu Stadium starting 3pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba (3. Charles Otieno-86), 18. Sven Yidah, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (27. Azizi Okaka-86), 24. Erick Ombija (29. Ebrima Sanneh-69), 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu [20. Timothy Ouma-62 (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-86)]
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 5. Wesley Onguso, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 32. Ezekiel Odera
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury)
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brian Bwire (GK), 2. Tom Teka, 26. Bonface Onyango, 6. Geoffrey Lemu (25. Samuel Olwande,-53), 5. Eric Juma-Captain (24. Daniel Sakari-53), 8. Patillah Omoto, 17. Shaphan Oyugi, 22. Julius Masaba , 10. Peter Lwasa (14. John Omondi-72), 20. Eric Kapaito (4. Alphonse Omija-90), 21. James Mazembe
Unused subs: 16. Brandon Obiero (GK), 13. Bonface Mwangemi, 29. Peter Oudu, 18. Reagan Adede,
Coach: William Muluya
Yellow cards: Peter Opiyo-10, Wycliffe Otieno-73 //17. Shaphan Oyugi-43, 8. Patilla Omoto-52, 10. Peter Lwasa-69
Goals: 22. Davis Agesa-35 (City Stars)//Julius Masaba-15, Erick Kapaito-81 (Kariobangi Sharks)
Match Officials: Anthony Ogwayo (Center Ref), Caleb Amwayi (Match Comm), Caroline Kiles (AR1), Mike Maputi (AR2), Zachary Ashiraa (Reserve Ref)
Azizi Okaka fends the ball off James Mazembe of Kariobangi Sharks as the two met in a tenth round Premier League game on Sat 30 Jan 2021. Sharks won 2-1
City Stars stopper on Sharks dangerman Eric Kapaito at Kasarani on Sat 30 Jan 2021 during a 10th round Premier League tie. Kapaito scored the winner as City Stars fell 2-1
City Stars striker Ebrima Sanneh takes on a Kariobangi Sharks player at Kasarani on Sat 30 Jan 2021 during a 10th round Premier League tie. Sharks won 2-1