1-1 is how it ended when Nairobi City Stars took on home team Bandari at Mbaraki on Sunday 4 July 2021 in a round 24 Premier league tie.
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It’s a draw in Mombasa#BKPL pic.twitter.com/W0rjdMmhgj— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 4, 2021
Erick Ombija tapped a goalmouth melee for the opening goal within two minutes of the restart after a Peter Opiyo freekick ricochetted off the upright into the box.
Bandari however drew level three minutes after the hour mark through William Wadri who was sure with a penalty awarded after City Stars stopper Wycliffe Otieno was adjudged to have handled in the box.
Inside ten minutes, flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu was fouled outside the goal area but the resultant freekick was wasted.
Four minutes on, Bandari responded when Darius Msagha fired at goal testing the palms of Stephen Njunge in goal who punched the ball out for a wasted corner.
By the 20th minute, Erick Ombija fluffed a shot at goal, and had a header off a freekick by Bolton, straight at Bandari keeper Ndikumana.
Bandari mounted raids on raids after the water break as City Stars sat back but could not account for most of their chances, more so corners.
By the breather, City Stars threw away two more freekicks at the game ended level at 0-0.
Moments after the restart, Maloba was brought down from a good distance and Opiyo sent the dead ball goalward. Stopper Felly Mulumba failed to contain the ball and Ombija escorted the ball home for the opener at Mbaraki, his fourth goal of the season.
The subs then came on for City Stars; Nicholas Kipkirui and Davis Agesa for Okuse and Ombija, respectively, on 58 minutes as the visitors hope to up the ante.
But five minutes on, stopper Otieno, standing in for unavailable Salim Shitu Abdallah, was adjudged to have held the ball in the box gifting Bandari a penalty.
Wadri stepped up to beat Njunge and send the ball home for the leveler.
City Stars could have gone up once again in the game when, on 71 minutes, Kipkirui got to a Bolton freekick only to head downwards and out.
Bandari then opted to try out different options to get the killer goal as John Mwita and Hassan Abdallah came on for Benjamin Mosha and Swaleh Chacha in the 74th minute.
It was then end-to-end stuff to the very end as either side sought the winning goal that never came.
It was the fourth tie in eight premier league meetings in Mombasa that City Stars was walking away with a point from Bandari.
?| Your Man of the match is Peter Opiyo of @NrbCityStars #BKPL pic.twitter.com/CnUkiwLceY
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 4, 2021
With a point each, both Bandari and City Stars improve to 33 points. The former maintains spot six due to superior goals scored as City Stars remains seventh.
?| League Standings after today’s Matches#BKPL pic.twitter.com/KYfj5kFqiI
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 4, 2021
Up next for City Stars is another away trip to face Ulinzi Stars on Saturday 10 July at the Nakuru ASK Grounds.
Lineups
Bandari: 1. Justin Ndikumana, 5. Siraj Mohammed, 15. Bernard Odhiambo (Captain), 25. Felly Mulumba, 19. Swaleh Chacha (29. Abdallah Hassan-74), 12. Dennis Magige,, 31. Keegan Ndemi, 24. Wiliam Wadri, 20. Benjamin Mosha (39. Johanna Mwita-74), 11. Darius Msagha, 14. Umaru Kasumba
Unused subs: 16. Michael Wanyika, 8. Dan Guya, 22. Collins Agade, 17. Danson Namasaka, 21. Wilberforce Lugogo, 13. Atariza Amai, 4. Brian Otieno
Coach: Cassa Mbungo
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 19. Kevin Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-81), 7. Rodgers Okumu (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-58), 21. Oliver Maloba (32. Ezekiel Odera-85), 24. Erick Ombija (11. Davis Agesa-58)
Unused Subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 3. Charles Otieno, 8. Calvin Masawa,12. Edwin Buliba
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 4. Salim Abdalla, 5. Wesley Onguso, 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 29. Ebrima Sanneh
Yellow cards
Bandari: None
City Stars: Kevin Okumu (90)