Nairobi City Stars fell 2-1 to visiting Kariobangi Sharks in Ruaraka during a seventh round FKF Premier League tie played on Saturday 4 December 2021.
Sharks went to the break with a goal advantage after a Geoffrey Lemu penalty awarded in the 24th minute after the pair of Simba wa Nairobi stoppers Kenedy Vidic Onyango and Lennox Ogutu bullied and mugged goal-charging Felix Oluoch in the box.
Ten minutes into the second half it was level after City Stars goal poacher Ezekiel Odera poked home from close range.
13 minutes later, substitute Patrick Otieno lobbed the ball past keeper Osano after connecting to a delivery from the right by Mata.
There could have been a different start, and probably end to the game, had City Stars made use of early chances.
In just the third minute, a corner delivered by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani landed at stopper Lennox in the box but he skied the ball while chasing the earliest of goals.
Sharks responded four minutes later with a freekick by Steve Otieno – awarded after an Oliver Maloba tackle at the edge of the box – came off the upright for a fruitless corner.
Three minutes later, teenage sensation Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu squared a perfect ball to Oliver Maloba who made a mad dash for goal.
But alas! when it was the easier choice to score, while on a one-on-one with Sharks keeper Brandon Obiero, he made the shot-stopper a hero after a brilliant save. Babu pounced on the second ball that ended up with Obiero.
At the quarter hour mark it was Odera’s turn to miss while in the box off a Davis Agesa cross from the right.
The near misses were punished in the 24th minute when Sharks went ahead from the spot.
A leveler for City Stars was seemingly in the offing in the 33rd minute but Agesa’s header while at the six yard area off a Dennis Decha Wanjala cross from the left flew just wide.
Five minutes to the break Babu added to the long list of should-have-been when he smacked the crossbar off a pass from Maloba at the byline.
The second half started with Sharks bringing on stopper Tom Teka for injured skipper Samuel Olwande.
The entrant was to miss a clearance ten minutes later that Odera whacked home with his left foot to level matters.
Immediately after the equalizer Sharks coach William Muluya brought on Patrick Otieno for Geoffrey Onyango. It only took him 12 minutes to score the winner.
A minute after that goal, Babu almost got City Stars back level when he escaped his markers to meet a freekick by Decha but his attempt for the far post got a hand from Obiero for a wasted corner.
Two further Decha freekicks into the box were dangerous as one had a penalty appeal waved on after a rebound shot by Babu, while the other was smacked right at the cross bar and back in play.
The last quarter of an hour saw Sharks defend relentlessly as City Stars threw everything upfront to seek a share of the spoils but it ended short as two corners could not be accounted for and a Peter Opiyo’s header at the death weaved just above bar.
It was only the second time that City Stars was hosting Sharks, and it ended in a similar 2-1 defeat as was the case back in January at Kasarani Annex.
With the win, Sharks shot to the top of the log with 16 points as City Stars dropped to fourth with 13 points.
Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a game at the same Ruaraka against Nzoia Sugar on Wednesday 8 December 2021 starting 3pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani (Mike Madoya-81), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 21. Oliver Maloba (9. Vincent Otieno-75), 32. Ezekiel Odera (10. Peter Opiyo-75), 11. Davis Agesa (Rodgers Okumu-64)
Unused subs: 23. Steve Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 28. Herit Mungai,
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brandon Obiero, 14. John Omondi, 27. Geoffrey Onyango, 25. Samuel Olwande – Captain (2. Tom Teka-46), 6. Geoffrey Lemu, 8. Patillah Omoto, 12. Douglas Mokaya, 21. Fortune Omoto (9. Sydney Lokale-64), 7. Eric Mata, 19. Felix Oluoch (5. Eric Juma-64), 24. Steve Otieno
Unused subs: 16. Brian Olang’o, 22. Julius Masaba, 13. Isaac Wasambo, 17. Kevin Kyalo, 18. Reagan Odede, 29. Enock Wanyama,
Coach: William Muluya
Yellow cards
Nairobi City Stars: 19. Kevin Okumu (27)
Kariobangi Sharks; 1. Brandon Obiero (60)
