Ezekiel Odera’s 63rd-minute tap-in at the far post, off an Oliver Maloba delivery, settled a game of two halves when Kariobangi Sharks hosted Nairobi City Stars in FKF Premier League match 17 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 6 February 2022.
The first half was all for The Sharks as they were dominant with a vibrant overload in midfield, but they let City Stars off the hook when they failed to convert their chances.
A quick adjustment at the onset of the second half, that saw Noor siblings Timothy Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo take the places of Mike Madoya at 10 and injured skipper of the day Peter Opiyo in the creative role, changed the tide Simba wa Nairobi’s way.
Inside the first seven minutes, City Stars skipper Peter Opiyo had attempted a shot at goal but it flew wide.
The next minute, a freekick by City Stars left-back Dennis Wanjala found Davis Agesa who failed to get a grip on it to tap home. Immediately after, City Stars survived a counter as a quick ball found Julius Masaba who, with the sight of goal, fired just wide when it was a lot easier to score.
Two minutes later Sharks were at it again with a shot on goal, but this time, keeper Jacob Osano forced a fruitless corner.
Within the next ten minutes, Mike Madoya, with his first start of the season, had his header off an Agesa cross fly just wide.
Sven Yidah, formerly at Sharks, followed up with another header off a Calvin Masawa cross only for his attempt to end up with keeper Brandon Obiero.
From then on, all the way to the half-hour mark, it was all Sharks with a series of back-to-back corners, raids but all were characterized by near misses.
Two key moments saw keeper Osano dispossessed but a follow-up shot went wide and it was the same case in the 30th minute when Douglas Mokaya found space in the box only to fire out.
By the time the clock hot 40 minutes, City Stars had wasted two Opiyo freekicks and a rare chance that fell on striker Ezekiel Odera who fired wide.
In the final minutes to the breather, Masaba who was dangerous on the flank found space and went for goal only to send the ball out.
On either side of Masaba’s attempt were two uncounted corners by Opiyo and Wanjala for City Stars.
To counter a neutralized midfield by Sharks, City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti brought in the Noor siblings Timothy Babu Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo at the onset of the second half in place of Madoya and Opiyo who picked a knock.
The arrival of the KAwangware siblings stabilized the midfield so much so that Simba wa Nairobi dominated the second half.
However, it is Sharks that kicked off the second half with a wasted corner before City Stars responded with one of their own that Odera failed to place home.
Babu’s effect was felt seven minutes after his introduction when he shot at goal off a Maloba cross. But Sharks survived the scare by clearing their line after keeper Obiero was well beaten.
Five minutes later he was at it again but delayed pulling the trigger and Sharks backline nicked the ball from his feet.
Immediately after, Sharks got to the other end and forced a corner that yielded naught.
In the 62nd minute, Sharks survived yet another near miss when an unmarked Odera had his headed ball echo off the crossbar.
The very next minute Odera did not miss after he tapped in at the far post to complete a Maloba pass from the right. The ball came off Wanjala which ended up with Babu before landing at Maloba’s feet.
Five minutes after Babu had a shot on goal but Obiero picked it up.
A minute later Sharks had the chance to level matters after forcing a freekick at the edge of the box when Masaba went down to a heavy challenge from stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango. City Stars cleared the danger.
In the 75th minute Sharks brought on John Omondi and Enoch Wanyama for Masaba and Fortune Omoto, respectively. That followed up on the arrival of Geoffrey Onyango who had come on for Fredrick Alushula.
City Stars was to introduce Nicholas Kipkirui for Odera as John Kamau took up the place of Maloba in the last ten minutes.
Kipkirui attempted a freekick won by Babu but fired at the opponents’ wall and Sharks were to end the game with a corner that they failed to capitalize on. Soon after it was all over.
In scooping all spoils at the Annex, City Stars return to the second spot with 31 points from 17 matches, and within two of leaders Kakamega Homeboyz who will be hosting Nzoia Sugar in Bukhungu on Sunday. Sharks drop down from second to third with 28 points.
Lineups
Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brandon Nathan, 2. Tom Teka, 26. Boniface Onyango, 4. Alphonse Omija, 22. Julius Masaba (14. John Omondi-75), 3. Fredrick Alushula (27. Geoffrey Onyango-70), 8. Patillah Omolo-captain, 12. Douglas Mokaya, 21. Fortune Omoto (29. Enock Wanyama-75), 19. Felix Oluoch, 10. Henry Juma
Unused Subs: 16. Brian Olango, 25. Samuel Olwande, 18. Ronaldo Odede, 23. Keith Imbali, 24. Steve Otieno, 13. Isaac Otieno.
Coach: William Muluya
Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvins Masawa, 25. Kennedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 10. Peter Opiyo-captain (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-46), 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba (15. John Kamau-85), 11. Davis Agesa (7. Rodgers Okumu-78), 5. Mike Madoya (20. Timothy Ouma-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-78).
Unused subs: 23. Steve Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Lennox Ogutu
Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, (all injured), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 14. Rowland Makati, 30. Anthony Kimani, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 1. Elvis Ochoro
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Yellow cards:
Kariobangi Sharks: None
Nairobi City Stars: 8. Calvin Masawa (76), 21. Oliver Maloba (85)
Goal: 32. Ezekiel Odera (Nrb City Stars – 63)
Part of the action at Kasarani Annex during a matchday 17 game between Kariobangi Sharks and Nairobi City Stars on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0
City Stars DM Sven Yidah on the ball at Kasarani Annex during a match day 17 games against Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0
Henry Juma (10) and Salim Abdalla fight for the ball when City Stars visited Kariobangi Sharks at the Kasarani Annex on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0
