A late 87th-minute goal by substitute Rodgers Okuse Okumu is all Nairobi City Stars needed to stop a fighting Nzoia Sugar 1-0 at Narok Stadium on Friday 25 June 2021 to move up a spot from sixth to fifth in the 17-team log.
The win set a new club record of five straight wins in the top flight bettering three other occasions where the team had registered four straight wins back in 2006, 2008, and 2012.
Within the first ten minutes, City Stars had two shots at goal by Peter Opiyo and skipper Anthony Muki Kimani. While the first went out, the second went straight to Nzoia keeper Humphrey Katasi.
Within the same span, Nzoia had two chances of their own but Felicien Okanda’s shot off a freekick by Elvis Ronnack went straight to City Stars keeper Steve Njunge, and one by Denis Wanjala, off the first corner of the game, flew just beyond the far post.
Within the next 14 minutes, it was more of Nzoia on City Stars but they wasted a freekick by Kevin Maliachi, saw a flicked header by veteran Philip Muchuma fly wide, and perhaps the best of all; Felicien firing over when within the penalty area after receiving a perfect cross.
The tide then changed towards the close of the first half where City Stars were guilty of wasting sumptuous crosses, a freekick and throw-in from left-back Bolton Omwenga who was facing his former employers, as well as two freekicks from good range by Muki.
Simba wa Nairobi had back-to-back corners just before the breather, but there was nothing to show for both.
Onto the next stanza, Nzoia made a double sub to add punch upfront; Daniel Wafula and speedster Gaetan Mosha coming on for James Kibande and skipper Peter Gin. Moments later City Stars responded by ushering in pocket rocket Okuse for Oliver Maloba.
18 minutes into the second half, Nzoia should have been 1-0 up but a ping pong ball in the City Stars area failed to get a connection
Inside four minutes after that near-miss, City Stars were on the other end but a shot off the box by Muki went wide.
A minute later, Okuse sneaked into the box to receive a defense splitting pass from Opiyo, rounded the keeper, and within yards of goal fired at goal only for the ball to rise above the crossbar.
Sub Wafula then had a long pile driver on 75 minutes but his direction was off, the ball sailing wide.
Nzoia were to then add Hillary Simiyu to the mix, in place of Muchuma, as City Stars brought on Erick Ombija and Ezekiel Odera for Muki and the most marked man Nicholas Kipkirui.
And with three minutes to time, the subs on the day proved the difference as Okuse pounced on an Odera layup, off a Kevin Okumu – Opiyo – Davis Agesa buildup, to score the lone goal of the game and hand City Stars all spoils on the road.
The game ended not too long after with stopper Wycliffe Otieno joining the party for an injured Opiyo.
With the latest triumph in Narok, City Stars confirmed a double this season over Nzoia, whom they beat 2-0 at the same venue in the season opener in November 2020.
While Okuse was the hero in Narok, Sven Yidah was picked as the Most Valuable Player for his midfield control.
Up next for City Stars is a home game against Wazito to be held in Ruaraka on Wednesday 30 June 2021 starting 1 pm.
Lineups
Nzoia Sugar FC:15. Humphrey Katasi (GK), 25. Dennis Wanjala, 6. Gabriel Wandera, 22. Elvis Ronack, 27. Kevin Maliachi, 13. Kevin Juma, 4. Peter Gin-Captain (3. Gaetan Masha-59), 32. Leonard Kasembeli, 18. James Kibande (12.Daniel Wafula-59), 33. Philip Muchuma (14. Hillary Simiyu-77) 20. Felicien Okanda
Unused subs: 39. Benson Mangála (GK), 28. Randy Bakari, 5. Ian Karani, 24. Ian Simiyu, 10. Cliff Kasuti
Coach: Ibrahim Shikanda (Head coach)
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 19. Kevin Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo (22. Wycliffe Otieno-90+), 30. Anthony Kimani (24. Erick Ombija-80), 21. Oliver Maloba (7. Rodgers Okumu-59), 11. Davis Agesa, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui
Unused Subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 8. Calvin Masawa, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 3. Charles Otieno, 5. Wesley Onguso, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth
Coach: John Amboko (for Sanjin Alagic)
Yellow cards
Nzoia United: 33. Philip Muchuma-68, 13. Kevin Juma-82
City Stars: None
City Stars players celebrate a long goal by Rodgers Okumu that earned a 1-0 win over Nzoia United at Narok Stadium on Fri 25 June 2021
City Stars left back Bolton Omwenga taking on Nzoia United right back Kevin Maliach during a round 21 premier league game in Narok on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0
Elvis Ronack eyes the ball on Nicholas Kipkirui’s during a Nzoia United – Nairobi City Stars game at Narok Stdium on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0
