Two goals in added time from left-back Herit Mungai and midfielder Peter Opiyo enabled Nairobi City Stars to claw back from two goals down to tie Ulinzi Stars 2-2 in the third and final Elite Pre-season Cup Pool ‘B’ match in Kasarani Annex on Monday 26 September 2022.
With the hard-fought point, Simba wa Nairobi went top of pool B which has a pending game between Kenya Police and MCF, but nonetheless guaranteed themselves a point in the semi-finals slated for Thursday 29 September.
Ulinzi Stars took the lead via Clinton Omondi in the 19th minute who rifled home a shot to the far top corner before substitute Boniface Muchiri made it 2-0 in the 56th minute with a low drive after City Stars defenders failed to clear a throw-in.
At the stroke of full time, Mungai sent a pile driver from range to the right top corner that beat keeper James Saruni all the way for Simba wa Nairobi to half the deficit.
Deep into added time, substitute Elvis Noor Ojiambo got to the end of an Anthony Kimani pass in the box to square a ball for Peter Opiyo to bundle home the leveler.
The latest point followed on the 4-1 win over second-tier side MCF on Saturday at the same venue.
Lineups
Ulinzi Stars: James Saruni (GK-Captain), 44. Shannel Makwata, 18. Swaleh Chacha, 31. Boniface Anayi, 39. alex Masinde, 21. Bernard Ongoma, 24. Staphod Odhiambo (8. John Kago-80), 7. Clinton Omondi, 3. Antonio Abwao (10. Boniface Muchiri-46), 14. Hillary Simiyu (25. Enoch Ochieng-80)
Subs: Sylvaine Ricks, 16. Glen Wafula, 5. Vinvent Ambetsa, 2. Jacob Onyango, 22. Masuta Masita, 32. Ali Swaleh, 11. Stephen Etyang
Coach: Bernard Mwalala
Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 28. Herit Mungai, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 5. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, 18. Clifford Ouma (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-73), 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba (15. Newton Ochieng-61), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (6. Ronney Kola-85), 17. Daniel Odhiambo (30. Anthony Kimani-61) , 22. Samuel Kapeni (32. Ezekiel Odera-61)
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Steve Njunge, (both GK) 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 14. Rowland Makati, 9. Vincent Otieno, 3. Elvis Ojiambo, 30. Anthony Kimani
Out: 7. Pius Omachi, 12. Edwin Buliba, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 11. Andrew Kisilu (all injured),
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Yellow cards
Ulinzi Stars: 10. Boniface Muchiri (89)
Nairobi City Stars:
Goals
Ulinzi Stars: 7. Clinton Omondi (19), 10. Boniface Muchiri (56)
Nairobi City Stars: 28. Herit Mungai (90, Elly Osotsi assist), 10. Peter Opiyo (90+, Elvis Noor Ojiambo assist)