Debutants Kenya Police shot down Kariobangi Sharks 3-1 in an entertaining Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match played at the Kasarani Annex on Wednesday afternoon. Sharks who were on form before kick off were seeking to consolidate their stay at the top of the log but goals from second half substitutes Cliffton Miheso and Samuel Ndung’u coupled by an opener from Clinton Kinanga reduced Patillah Omotto’s strike to a mere consolation.Police head coach John Bobby Ogolla attributed the win to the hard work the boys had been putting since losing their previous fixture to Sofapaka.”We had been playing well in the last matches but didn’t have the luck to score. I am happy the goals came today and it can only get better,” said the former Kenyan international.His Sharks counterpart William Muluya took responsibility for the defeat saying he didn’t get it right in fielding. He also noted fatigue in his players.”Congratulations Police for the win. We didn’t play well partly due to fatigue. Sometimes we lose a game not because the players played badly but the set up of the coach. My set up especially the players whom I played didn’t work and I take full responsibility,” he said.Premature excitement by Felix Oluoch cost Sharks the lead in the 12th minute as the on form forward wheeled away for celebration before the ball crossed the line only for Reuben Juma to dramatically dive and save the ball.The miss proved costly three minutes later as Kinanga wittingly took note of the the high line defence and would outsprint his markers before beating the well exposed Brandon Obiero to give Police the lead.The man mountain Kinanga who troubled the Sharks defence with his physique would have doubled the lead six minutes later after Alvin Odoyo picked him with a well weighted pass but his first touch worked against him as the ball was cleared before he could pull the trigger.The long balls approach employed by Police gave Sharks backline a torrid afternoon as the clock continued to tick and had to commit more numbers to their area to relieve the overwhelmed department.The experience of Musa Mohammed came in play in the 23rd minute after the Kenyan international made his body big to block a goal bound shot by Eric Mmata.Erick Kipkirui who was supposed to serve his former employer with bitterness had a day to forget after he was rested four minutes to the half time whistle for Cliffton Miheso as Police sought to inject spark on the left wing.The former Gor winger would have scored with his first touch of the ball after his freekick from the edge of the box narrowly missed the target. Shortly after Miheso missed the freekick, Patillah Omoto expertly scored his on the other hand, beating an hapless Juma to draw Sharks level.Just before centre referee Zachariah Ashira would signal the start of the second half, Muluya introduced Ken Kyalo and Patrick Otieno for Fortune Omotto and Stephen Otieno who were off colour in the first half. The two changes took long to impose themselves in the game as Sharks continued to struggle in invading the Police area and at the same time had difficulties in containing Kinanga. Muluya added more firepower in the team by withdrawing Geoffrey Onyango and Oluoch for Julius Masaba and Sydney Lokale at the stroke of the hour mark. Police had to play with a man less for two minutes after Musa appeared to have picked an harmstring injury but after medication, he was cleared to continue. ⏹️ Full TimeFocus shifts to Nzoia Sugar FC.#WeAreSharks #BetwaySharks pic.twitter.com/WovLHBFF9q— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) December 8, 2021 The match seemed headed for a draw oy for Miheso to pop with the second goal in the 91st minute, capitalising on a goal mouth melee in the Sharks to tap in the ball into the net.Just before the bench could settle from celebrating the second goal, Miheso struck a beauty of a freekick to put the results beyond the reach of Sharks. The freekick had been awarded outside the area after Julius Masaba hacked Abuya down and was consequently shown a straight red card.Kariobangi Sharks XI: Brandon Obiero, Geoffrey Shiveka, Samuel Olwande, Geoffrey Onyango, John Omondi, Patillah Omoto, Fortune Omoto, Felix Oluoch, Eric Mmata, Stephen Otieno, Douglas Mokaya. Substitutes: Brian Olang’o, Sydney Lokale, Ken Kyalo, Tom Tema, Julius Masaba, Eric Juma, Donald OdedeHead coach: William Muluya Kenya Police XI: Reuben Juma, Cornelius Juma, Samaki Paustine, Musa Mohammed, Duncan Otieno, Charles Ouma, Duke Abuya, Erick Kipkirui, Arvine Odoyo, Soita Silicho, Clinton Kinanga.Substitutes: Gedion Ogweno, David Oluoch, Samuel Ndung’u, Lesley Owino, John Mark, Clifton Miheso, John NdiranguHead coach: John Bobby Ogolla
