Set-piece goals by Ezekiel Odera and Peter Opiyo on either half, that sandwiched FC Talanta’s two quickfire goals into the second half, settled the 34th and final game in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League game played in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 12 June 2022 at 2-2.
Odera opened the scoring in the 14th minute via the spot, his tenth goal of the season, after the center ref penalized a Talanta player by awarding the spot kick, and a yellow card.
City Stars led 1-0 at the break by were down 2-1 within minutes of the restart. Two minutes in, winger Michael Jairo placed a high ball to the far post, out of reach of keeper Elvis Ochoro who registered his Premier League debut in the game.
Three minutes later, Francis Kahiro sent the hosts 2-1 up when he buried a penalty awarded after striker Brian Yakhama was felled in the box. Unlucky Ochoro had a touch on the low shot, only to push it in.
That lead lasted just a few minutes, as Opiyo, placed a freekick to the top corner from outside the box, his third goal of the season, what turned out to be the 45th and final strike of the season for Simba wa Nairobi.
Opiyo last featured for City Stars in mid-March away to Bandari in Mombasa and had missed the last ten game due to injury. He made his way to the pitch minutes towards the end of the first half for Elvis Noor Ojiambo and was accompanied by John Kamau who took the place of Augustine Kuta.
With the draw, City Stars ended the season in fifth place with 49-points as Talanta closed their debut season in eleventh place with 44 points.
In the game, Rowland Makati who made his top-flight debut on Monday against AFC Leopards, earned his first start alongside Mohammed Bajaber who earned his second straight start, as Kenedy Onyango returned to the starting lineup in place of Edwin Buliba.
Makati and Bajaber lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by Davis Agesa and flyer Rodgers Okumu, respectively. Charles Otieno came on as the last sub for Odera in the 79th minute.
City Stars won the first leg game at the same venue 2-1.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, Kennedy Onyango, Salim Abdallah, 28. Herit Mungai, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor (10. Peter Opiyo-44), 14. Rowland Makati (11. Davis Agesa-70), 29. Augustine Kuta (15. John Kamau-44), 31. Mohammed Omar Bajaber (7. Rodgers Okumu-70), 32. Ezekiel Odera (3. Charles Otieno-79)
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 26. Dennis Wanjala,
Coach: Ken Kenyatta
FC Talanta: James Omusinde, 24. Alvin Ochieng, Thomas Wainaina, 5. Nicodemus Malika, Luis Masika, Castro Ogendo, Georson Likono (Rodgers Angal), Dennis Oalo, Francis Kahiro, Brian Yakhama (Kevintom Machika), 21. Michael Jairo
Unused subs: Isaiah Wakasala, Peter Njammah, Erick Shikonoh, Maurice Dukully, Michael Omondi,
Yellow cards
Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro (36), 15. John Kamau (90+)
FC Talanta:
Goals
Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (14-Pen), 10. Peter Opiyo (52)
FC Talanta: 21. Michael Jairo (47), Francis Kahiro (49-Pen)