Pressure mounts on Sofapaka after defeat to City Stars

A headed goal by the industrious Vincent Owino just before the hour mark was all the difference for Nairobi City Stars as they grabbed their second win of the season - beating out bottom placed Sofapaka FC 2-1 at the Kasarani Annex Grounds on Saturday afternoon.

The highly tensive game looked to be an easy ride for Simba wa Nairobi as they jumped to a first half lead through a sweet lob from Kevin Etemesi, but were pegged back in the second period when Andre Kalama smashed in a header in the 54th minute.

The hosts however found themselves chasing, and failed to mount a route back to the game after Owino's goal, with David Nshirimana slumping to the surface at full-time, indicative of their poor run this term.

While Sofapaka remained rooted at the bottom of the league, City Stars moved up to fourth, with eight points from two matches.

Game Recap.

After a pretty calm start to the game, it was the visitors who were sprung into action early on with an unfortunate incident taking out Rowland Makati after a collision in the 13th minute.

Samuel Kapen would engineer his team’s first chance when his cross from the right had its way to smacking the left upright.

City Stars, in a distinct press, were the more dangerous and soon enough jumped to a lead after 32 minutes through Kevin Etemesi.

The fast forward received a great pass from Dennis Oalo in the middle of the box before looping his ball past an onrushing Brent Omwena in goal.

Even with their possession, Sofapaka often lacked channels to breaking into the City Stars box, with their two chances coming in the nature of dead balls.

Darius Msagha and Fiston Razak in quick succession after the half-hour mark had both of their shots rebuffed, with Nicholas Muyoti's side holding a slender lead into the break.

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Second half.

A couple of changes - bringing on Mieno and Kalama- for the hosts in the second half seemed to be the opening tonic for Sofapaka as they began the second half by pinning City Stars to their own half.

First came a looping long range ball from Evans Makari that was cleared off the line by a retreating Wycliffe Omondi.

The second real chance was a goal, as Oliver Maloba brought in a cross from the right that was rightfully connected by Andre Kalama.

1-1, substitute on the score-sheet, 36 minutes left on the clock. Everything seemed to be going right for Sofapaka, until they conceded on the next phase of play, and from a similar move.

A corner from Kevin Etemesi found Vincent Owino in space inside the box, and he did the easy task of heading it into the net thanks to a Jacob Osano commitment without laying his hands on the ball.

STARTING XI.

Sofapaka FC.

Brent Omwena (Jacob Osano 45) , Baron Ochieng, Evans Makari, Stephen Okola, David Nshirimana, Oliver Maloba, Keegan Zakayo, Amos Asembeka (Humphrey Mieno 45), Fiston Abdul, Darius Msagha (Jacob Onyango 62, Sunday Ikekhai 86), Simon Munala (Andre Kalama).

SUBSTITUTES: Jacob Osano, Omar Mousa, Nixon Ouma, Emmanuel Otieno, Austine Wahongo, Jacob Panoam, Humphrey Mieno, Andre Kalama, Sunday Ikekhai, Jacob Onyango.

Nairobi City Stars.

Edwin Mukolwe, Wycliffe Omondi, Rowland Makati (Calvins Massawa 13), Idah Sosthenes, Dennis Wanjala, Vincent Owino, Brian Mzee, Andrew Kisilu (Gilbert Abala 67), Samuel Kapen (Newton Ochieng 67), Dennis Oalo, Kevin Etemesi (Brian Mose 86).

SUBSTITUTES: Elvis Osoro, Calvins Massawa, Newton Ochieng, Gilbert Abala, Abuyeka Kubasu, Mohamed Bajaber, Brian Mose, Clifford Otieno.