Substitute Rodgers Okuse Okumu’s goal in the 88th minute earned Nairobi City Stars a 1-1 draw against visiting Kakamega Homeboyz in an FKF Premier League match 16 played in Ruaraka on Monday 24 January 2022.
It was the second time in five days that City Stars came from behind to tie Abana Beingo following up on the incredible 4-4 draw on Thursday in Bukhungu, Kakamega.
Homeboyz took the lead through substitute Gaetan Masha who, on his debut, powered home a header after the ball was headed his way by George Odiwuor in the 76th minute.
Masha had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes after coming on for Stephen Opoku in the 65th minute.
Okuse, an unused substitute in the Thursday game, came on in the 69th minute for a tiring Davis Agesa. He got to the end of a perfect ball from the skipper on the day Peter Pinchez Opiyo to smack home a low left-footer off the left of goal for the leveler past keeper David Juma.
With shared spoils, Homeboyz maintains the top spot with 33 points to maintain a five-point buffer over City Stars who are part of a three-team chasing pack besides Kariobangi Sharks and KCB, all with 28 points.
City Stars earned the first corner of the game in the third minute that left-back Dennis Decha Wanjala floated well only for stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla to head wide.
Four minutes later Homeboyz had one of their own on the other end that followed up on a freekick. Both were wasted.
In the 13th minute, a dashing Oliver Maloba got to the box and fired on target only for keeper David Juma to pick it out at the near post.
The best chance in the half came in the 19th minute when Agesa found space to the left of the goal and aimed for the far top corner. Juma did well to tip the ball for a fruitless corner.
Two minutes later Homeboyz responded with a corner that stopper Brian Eshihanda headed straight to City Stars keeper Jacob Osano.
In the whole, City Stars outdid Homeboyz eight to three corners in the first half but all, taken by Decha, failed to yield the desired results.
In the second half, Homeboyz had an early charge for goal only to be checked by Shitu. Minutes later, Pinchez floated a corner only for stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango to send wide.
16 minutes into the second half City Stars head coach brought in Erick Ombija for Ezekiel Odera and two minutes later Homeboyz countered it with Masha for Opoku.
In the 66th minute, City Stars had a chance for goal when Maloba burst into the box only to find his shooting boot for the ball to roll easily to Juma. Three minutes later it was the chance of Yema in the City Stars box. He fired wide.
Two minutes on, a perfect ball found teenage sensation Timothy Babu Ouma in the box but he took a few seconds more on the ball to allow Juma to pick it from his feet.
Another goal attempt by City Stars minutes later saw Okuse break to the box only to fire wide. Three minutes after that attempt Homeboyz was a goal ahead after a poor clearance off a corner ended up with Eshihanda who headed for Masha to open his goal account on his debut.
Within the next ten minutes after that goal, City Stars introduced Anthony Muki Kimani in place of Babu and were level when after stopper Vidic moved up the pitch to square a ball to Pinchez who then laid it for Okuse to do the rest for his second goal of the season.
Okuse’s goal brought belief to City Stars as evidenced in the four added minutes. Simba wa Nairobi forced two dangerous freekicks, a corner, and one fine ball that landed on an unmarked Maloba who chested the ball well at the edge of the box. He failed to get his footing leaving Juma with an easy pick from what should have been the decider.
It’s within the added minutes that substitute Masha left the pitch with an injury, his place taken up by Nigerian Michael Karamor.
A final corner by Homeboyz and a final drive up a field by City Stars soon brought proceedings to an end.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo-captain, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma (30. Anthony Kimani-82), 21. Oliver Maloba, 11. Davis Agesa (7. Rodgers Okumu-69), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-62)
Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 3. Charles Otieno, 15. John Kamau, 12. Edwin Buliba
Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 23. Stephen Njunge (GK), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 14. Rowland Makati, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 28. Herit Mungai, 5. Michael Madoya
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Kakamega Homeboyz: 32. David Juma, 2. Eric Ambunya, 44. Brian Eshihanda, 15. Sylvester Owino, 6. Benjamin Oketch, 20. George Odiwour, 25. Stephen Opoku [Gaetan Masha-65 (31. Michael Karamor-90+)], 8. Stephen Wakanya, 9. David Okoth, 22. Chris Masinza 27. Yema Mwana,
Unused Subs: 30. Elix Otieno, Otieno S, 16. Collins Odhiambo, 21. Estone Esiye, 5. Enock Masinza, 12. Sunday Mutuku, 24. Ahmed Ali Bhai
Coach: Bernard Mwalala
Yellow cards
Nairobi City Stars: 4. Kevin Okumu (58), 18. Sven Yidah (74). 24. Erick Ombija (90+)
Kakamega Homeboyz: 2. Erick Ambunya (29)
Goals:
Nairobi City Stars: 7. Rodgers Okumu (88)
Kakamega Homeboyz: Gaetan Masha (76)
City Stars stopper challenges his opposite number Brian Eshihanda of Homeboyz during an FKF Premier League match 16 in Ruaraka on Mon 24 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1
City Stars stopper Salim Abdalla on the ball ghosting his Homeboyz counterpart Sylvester Owino during an FKF Premier League match 16 in Ruaraka on Mon 24 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1
