Kelvin Etemesi’s brace – his fourth of the season – earned Nairobi City Stars a 2-1 comeback win over AFC Leopards during a matchday 31 FKF Premier League tie in Nyayo Stadium on Monday 29 May 2023.
Etemesi’s goals in the 64th and 89th minutes erased Victor Omune’s 18th-minute opener to end Simba wa Nairobi’s 16-year wait of searching for an away win over AFC Leopards.
Star boy ????????
Last minute goal from @etemesi10 #simbawanairobi pic.twitter.com/Jb7YqhkPEW
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) May 29, 2023
We bag the maximum points here at Nyayo National Stadium
AFC 1-2 NCS
⚽ Kelvin Etemesi (2)#SimbaWaNairobi pic.twitter.com/i8qlJD5Xct— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) May 29, 2023
The only other away win for City Stars, the first-ever, was back on 22 January 2006 in Nyayo Stadium. City Stars, then known as World Hope, scored the lone goal through Steve Biko.
Between then and now, the best City Stars had done was post six draws and four losses.
In the 12th and latest game between the two played on Monday, Omune capitalized on a defensive lapse to send the home team 1-0 up three minutes after the first quarter.
Etemesi then brought Simba wa Nairobi level after firing a cross from the right from right-back Edwin Buliba to the roof of the net.
He added a second on the day – his ninth goal on his debut top-flight season – when he slammed home a delivery from substitute James Mazembe for City Stars to carry the day for the team to move to the 33-point mark.
City Stars, however, stays 15th in the standings as Leopards, on 48 points, is still up in seventh spot.
Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a matchday 32 tie against Nzoia Sugar on Saturday 3 June 2023 starting at 3.15 pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 26. Dennis Wanjala (8. Calvin Masawa-61-captain 2), 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango-captain 1, 5. Timothy Muganda, 18. Clifford Ouma (15. Newton Ochieng-61), 19. Vincent Owino, 11. Andrew Kisilu (21. James Mazembe-61), 22. Samuel Kapen, (31. Mohammed Bajaber-80), 29. Levis Okello, (9. Dennis Oalo-61), 20. Kelvin Etemesi
Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 14. Rowland Makati, 30. Anthony Kimani
Out: 4. Salim Abdallah, 10. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 16. Jacob Osano, 17. Abuyeka Kubasu, 28. Herit Mungai, 32. Ezekiel Odera
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Here’s how we line up against @AFCLeopards at Nyayo National Stadium ????????????#SimbaWaNairobi pic.twitter.com/E8N16QTCsz
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) May 29, 2023
AFC Leopards: 32. Levis Opiyo, 11. Peter Ng’ang’a, 13. Eric Mbithe, 3. Washington Munene, 15. Robert Mudenyu, 6. Musa Oundo, 10. Cliff Nyakeya, 8. Bryan Wanyama (21. Maxwell Otieno-72), 33. Victor Omune, 19. Eugene Mukangula-captain, 7. Jafari Owiti (40. Saad Musa-82)
Unused subs: 16. Maxwell Muchasia, 24. Bonface Mukhekhe, 20. Dan Sunguti, 22. Collins Shivachi, 23. Moses Lukhumwa, 28. Zachariah Ochieng,
Coach: Patrick Aussems
TEAM NEWS
Here’s how we line up for our FKF-PL match against Nairobi City Stars
The match will be played behind closed doors #BataKenya #OursForever#INGWE pic.twitter.com/QCpoQgfYd9
— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) May 29, 2023
Goal
AFC Leopards: 33. Victor Omune (18)
Nairobi City Stars: 20. Kelvin Etemesi (64,89)
Cautions
AFC Leopards: 7. Jaffari Owiti (31)
Nairobi City Stars: 25. Kenedy Onyango (71), 22. Samuel Kapen (75)