29 Sep 2022
NCS, Team News
September 29, 2022 Patrick Korir

Elite Pre-season Cup semis: City Stars 2 (3) Kariobangi Sharks 2 (2)

Keeper Steve Njunge is congratulated after saving three penalties against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on Thur 29 Sep 2022 to send City Stars to the final of the Elite Pre-Season Cup

Keeper Stephen Njunge saved three post-match penalties on Thur 29 September 2022 in Kasarani Annex as Nairobi City Stars edged out Elite Pre-season Cup hosts Karibangi Sharks 3-2 on post-match penalties to advance to the finals set for Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

The game ended 2-2 in regulation time forcing the post-game lottery kicks. City Stars had romped to a 2-0 lead inside nine minutes when Vincent Jamaica Otieno registered a quick-fire brace in the 16th and 26th minutes after getting to the end of Samuel Kapeni’s crosses from the right wing.

Kapeni picked Jamaica out when he pounced on a pinpoint delivery from skipper Elvis Noor Ojiambo to square the ball on the path of Jamaica who sneaked between skipper Kevin Luke Otiala and Dan Guya to tap home the first.

Three minutes later, Kapeni brought it high and Jamaica glanced it against the undersigned of the crossbar and into the goal. Newton Toni Ochieng, for safety purposes, made sure he rammed it against the net to confirm the goal.

Sharks however turned the game around in the second half capitalizing on non-effective substitutions by City Stars.

On 76 minutes they had a goal after skipper Otiala scored from the penalty spot. Tyson Otieno, who earned the penalty leading to the first goal, leveled matters six minutes later capitalizing on a spilled ball by Njunge.

In the penalties, Ezekiel Odera started it off well with a goal before Otiala saw his stopped by Njunge.

Anthony Kimani smacked his take against the woodwork as Sharks leveled with a clean one from Paul Odhiambo.

It stayed level at 2-2 in the next round when Mohammed Hamudi Bajaber’s conversion was canceled out by Geoffrey Onyango’s. Samuel Kapeni and Kevin Wanyanga failed to score in the next set and in the final one, big Kenedy Vidic Onyango scored for City Stars as Fortune Omoto had his saved by Njunge who fully atoned for his goof that led to the equalizing regular time goal for it to end 3-2.

Up next for City Stars will be a final tie against Kenya Police who edged out Bidco United 1-0 in the second semi-final. The tie will be played at Nyayo Stadium from 3 pm.

The two sides met during the opening Pool ‘B’ clash in the tournament and it ended all square at 1-1.

Lineups

Kariobangi Sharks: 1. John Otieno (GK), 3. Frederick Alushula, 11. Geoffrey Onyango, 2. Dan Guya (14. Timothy Ekhavi-65), 25. Kevin Luke Otiala, 4. Collins Obanda, 5. Isaac Wasambo (8. Kevin Wangaya-33), 6. Issa Lumumba (23. Keith Imbali-33), 10. Fortune Omoto, 22. Julius Masaba (19. Paul Odhiambo-59), 7. Shariff Musa (18. Tyson Otieno-65)

Unused subs: 16. Gedion Ogweno (GK),  11. LeonLevitt Otineo, 12. Tyson Omondi, 17. Ken Kyalo, 29. Franklin Kirono, 23. Moses Shikanda, 9. Titus Kapchanga,

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Njunge Steve (GK), 14. Rowland Makati, 25. Kennedy Onyango, 5. Timothy Oduor Muganda, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 10. Peter Opiyo (18. Clifford Ouma-82), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-Captain 1 (30. Anthony Kimani-62-captain 2), 22. Samuel Kapeni, 9. Vincent Otieno (32. Ezekiel Odera-70), 15. Newton Ochieng (21. Oliver Maloba-62), 22. Kelvin Etemesi (Mohammed Bajaber-62),

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 1. Andrew Kisilu, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 28. Herit Mungai, 8. Calvin Masawa, 6. Ronney Kola, 17. Daniel Otieno

Goals

Nairobi City Stars: 9. Vincent Otieno (16, 26)
Karibangi Sharks: 25. Kevin Otiala (76-pen), 18. Tyson Otieno (82)

Yellow cards

Nairobi City Stars: 25. Kenedy Onyango (63)
Karibangi Sharks: 11. Geoffrey Onyango (65), 1. John Otieno (90+)

Photo Credit – Hassan Mandevu

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