Striker Ezekiel Odera was the toast for Nairobi City Stars as his goal inside the first 15 minutes delivered a 2-1 win over AP Bomet in a round 27 Betika Super League game played at the Kericho Green on Sunday 8 March 2020.
Odera forced AP Bomet defender Japheth Ekuba into scoring an own goal in just the first minute then added a classic goal in the 15th minute to hand Simba wa Nairobi a 2-0 cushion heading to the break. Both goals were assisted by winger David Gateri.
AP Bomet pulled a consolation goal in the second half to half the scores but Odera’s goal stood out and proved the difference in the game.
Despite Odera’s heroics, he was to be ejected from the game late on after being given matching orders after earning a second bookable offence.
Score-wise, it could have been worse for the home team had a Salim Abdalla tap in from a free kick not have been ruled offside, and a Jimmy Bageya thunderous shot not ricocheted off the horizontal.
The win in Kericho ensured City Stars completed a double over AP Bomet having won the first leg tie at Toyoyo in October last year by the same scoreline.
Three added points lifted City Stars to the 61-point mark from 25 games as they maintained a seven-point gap atop the league
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars
16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (5. Wesley Onguso), 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 25. David Gateri (19. Jimmy Bageya), 27. Azizi Okaka (15. John Kamau), 32. Ezekiel Odera,
Unused subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich. 88. Tedian Esilaba, 3. Charles Otieno,
Yellow cards; 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 30. Anthony Kimani, 10. Peter Opiyo, Ezekiel Odera (x2)
MVP: 10. Peter Pinchez Opiyo
AP Bomet
31. Fredrick Otieno, 3. Dominic Kipkirui, 27. Paul Ndara, 25. Gideon Kibet, 30. Japheth Ekuba, 2 Eli John, 12. Vincent Lubembe, 10. Dickson Mwangi, 14. James Kaleha, 7. Philip Wasai, 20. Chris Wilunda
Subs: 19. Kevin Odongo, 18. Conrad Isigi, 2. Daniel Odhiambo, 5. Eric Chivatsi, 23. Brian Ngala, 21. Peter Juma, 11. Lawrence Kibet
Coach: Sebastian Owino