Nzoia Sugar have ended the wait for the second win in the 2021-2022 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season after humbling Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 at Thika Stadium in lunch hour kick off match.Interestingly, Nzoia bagged the first win of the season against the same opponent in the first leg held at Sudi Stadium in December last year. The match ended 3-1 in favour of the sugarmen.Following the result, the team has also bagged the first win under coach Salim Babu who was appointed early this month.Nzoia players broke for the breather with the guilty of squandering clear cut chances on the shoulders as they bossed in all departments but were not sharp in the final third. Playing under the scorching sun, the visitors grabbed the drivers seat and laid their weight on the gas pedal, forcing Sharks to commit numbers in their half. Levis Okello who gained fame for scoring three times in the first leg of the fixture held in Bukhungu Stadium last year nearly punished Sharks again in the 14th minute but his point blank header flew over the bar with Brandon Obiero well beaten. Sharks who appeared to struggle to knit passes together on the rather hard and rough surface tried to breach the Nzoia defence through counterattacks but getting past the double block hurdle mounted by Boniface Munyendo and Kevin Juma proved an ardous task. Joseph Mwangi who was lively throughout nearly caught Sharks unaware in the 35th minute after he noticed Obiero was yards off his territory but his long range effort ricochoted off the woodwork. Congolese import Felicien Okanda caused the Sharks full backs all sorts of problems with his pace and dribbling skills but wasn’t effective in his deliveries. Four minutes after restart, Nzoia atoned for the first half misses by taking the lead through Joseph Mwangi who tapped in Vincent Mahiga’s cross from close range. William Muluya made double changes in the 54th minute throwing in Mathew Kibiwott and Isaac Wasambo for Reagan Odede and Douglas Mokaya who little impact in the game. Nzoia wasted an opportunity to put the result beyond the reach of Sharks in the 70th minute as Obiero kept Munyendo’s penalty out for a corner. The visitors had been awarded the spotkick after Alphonce Omija brought Okanda down in the full glare of the assistant referee who was better placed to see the incident. Sharks added more fresh legs in the 74th minute where Enock Wanyama and Henry Juma came in for Felix Oluoch and Geoffrey Onyango respectively. On the other hand, Ian Simiyu replaced James Kibande. Boniface Onyango had the best chance to draw level in the 81st minute when the referee pointed to the spot but Humphrey Katasi came to the rescue of Nzoia as he palmed the ball away.Sharks three everything to the Nzoia goal in the final minutes of the game but were met with equal force and hence registered the sixth loss of the season.Kariobangi Sharks XIBrandon Obiero, Frédérick Alushula, Geoffrey Onyango, Boniface Onyango, Samuel Olwande, Alphonce Omija, Douglas Mokaya, Patilah Omoto, Reagan Odede, Felix Oluoch, Erick MataSubstitutesBrian Olang’o, Ziyadi Kiwanuka, John Omondi, Ken Kyalo, Steve Otieno, Isaac Wasambo, Mathew Kibiwott, Henry JumaNzoia Sugar XI Humphrey Katasi, Randy Bakari, Vincent Mahiga, Moses Mwale, Ian Karani, Boniface Munyendo, Kevin Juma, Joseph Mwangi, James Kibande, Felicien Okanda, Levis OkelloSubstitutesBenson Mangala, Collins Wakhungu, Kevin Maliachi, Emmanuel Esekon, Ian Simiyu, Leonard Kasembeli, Alfred Tanui
