KCB head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno says he is not under pressure to deliver the first win of the 2021 /2022 Football Kenya Federation Premier League after stretching the club’s win-less start to three matches following their one all draw with FC Talanta at Utalii grounds. The bankers were forced to rally from a goal down to hold the debutants who frustrated them to their second draw of the season, leaving them just two places above the red zone. Zico said he was concerned with the poor start but remained confidence that they will polish their forward line that he noted was a let down. “Last season we won our first six matches and ended up not winning the title. This time round we have begun poorly but it doesn’t mean that we don’t have a chance to win the title. Yes it concerns me that we have not won so far but I am sure we will end the wait soon, ” said the former Harambee Stars coach. His opposite number Ken Kenyatta who si also win-less in the season criticised centre referee George Mwai for gifting KCB a penalty that he labeled soft. ” We deserved to win the match but the referee worked against us. He made calls in favor of our opponents and gave a soft penalty,” he said. The decision by Kenyatta to deploy Michael Bodo, a natural defender as the defensive midfielder of the day proved tactically right as the former Kariobangi Sharks right back made crucial interceptions especially in the opening minutes of the game to deny KCB. With the pressure to register the first win of the season mounting in the bankers camp, the hunger to break the deadlock was rife on their side, making inroads in the area at will but were let down by their final touch. Talanta right back Alvin Ochieng was the busiest player in the first half, working overtime to contain James Mazembe who made witty runs on the right wing and delivered fierce crosses. However, the former national U20 defender who enjoyed cover from the experienced Shela Mandela was equal to the task, shutting the door for former Kariobangi Sharks player who would later be rested in the second half. After a nervous start, Talanta grew in confidence and managed to annihilate their opponent’s threat while at the same time registered some attempts from the counterattacks. Just a minute after restart, Kenyatta rung double change introducing Enock Momanyi and Vincent Otieno for Anthony Gicho and Luis Masika respectively. Momanyi didn’t take long before announcing his presence on the pitch, reacting quickest to Barrack Odhiambo’s cross to give Talanta the lead. The Harambee Stars trialist had won the ball few yards in the KCB half picked Odhiambo with a long pass before sprinting to the box in anticipation for a cross. The goal appeared to serve as a wake up call to KCB who pressed the gas pedal more in search for the equalizer but lacked the punch to poke holes in the rock solid defence. Their quest paid off in the 62nd minute when Talanta goalkeeper Kevin Otieno brought Henry Onyango down in the area forcing centre referee Mwai to point to the spot much to the protest of the Talanta bench who felt that the contact was minimal to warrant a penalty. David Owino stepped up in the following minute to send Otieno who was booked for the offence the wrong, restoring parity for the bankers. Three minutes after leveling matters, Zico threw in the trio of Derrick Otanga, Michael Oduor and Reagan Otieno for David Simiyu, Mazembe and Victor Omune respectively. Kenyatta made yet another double change with ten minutes to play resting Otieno and Brian Yakhama for the experienced Gershon Likono and Edwin Lavatsa. FC Talanta squad Kelvin Otieno Alvin OchiengShela Mandela Nicodemus MalikaEvans MaliachiMichael BodoBarrack OdhiamboMichael JairoLuis MasikaBrian YakhamaAnthony Gicho SubstitutesIsaiah WakasalaErick LusalaGershon LikonoEnock Momanyi Edwin LavatsaVincent OtienoEugene AmbulwaKCB squadGabriel AndikaDavid OwinoKamura RobinsonNashon AlembiHarun ThomasMichael MutindaHenry JumaJames MazembeVictor OmuneSamuel MwangiDavid Simiyu SubstitutesDavid OkelloDennis Odhiambo Derrick OtangaReagan Otieno Michael OduorMohamed KilumeRama MwendaVictor Omondi
