Wazito FC downed Murang’a Seal FC 2-1 in an FKF-PL/NSL promotion/ relegation play off first leg match staged at the Thika Sub-County Stadium on Thursday afternoon.Heading into the game Wazito were seeking to preserve their top flight status while Murang’a were keen on earning promotion for the first time ever.Murang’a had the best chance in the second minute of the game when Wilson Kamau left his marker for the dead before squaring the ball to an unmarked Erick Balecho, the forward however missed an empty goal, shooting wide.Wazito coach Fred Ambani was elated with his team’s performance.”Based on the short period that we had for preparations I think we played really well. The boys fought so well and the victory is well deserved. The job is however half done, we the second leg to play and we have to prepare well, and go there to fight,” he stated.His Murang’a counterpart Vincent Nyaberi admitted that they did not play well.”We did not play well but we are lucky to have an away goal. We have to fix things like our backline, we made so many mistakes there leading to the first goal for example and our forward line, the finishing should be better,” he added.They continued with the early pressure as they went all out in search of an advantage but resolute defending from Wazito kept them at bay.
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After the early pressure, Wazito managed to settle into the game and their best chance came in the 11th minute when Johnstone Omurwa rose high to connect to a Tyson Otieno cross, he however missed the target with the goal at his mercy.A rare Wazito foray earned them a penalty in the 22nd minute. Curtis Wekesa danced into the danger area and just as he was about to fire home, he was fouled and a penalty was awarded. Tyson stepped forward to beat Murang’a keeper, John Nduati from 12 yards out.The match slowly turned to an end to end affair with both teams creating chances. The visitors thought they had leveled the scores two minutes before the break but Brian Makara’s goal was ruled out for offside. Wazito took a narrow advantage to the break.Second halfThe start of the second half was evenly balanced with both teams striving to take charge of the encounter. It however proved to be an even duel in the opening stages of the second half.Wazito had a good chance to double their tally in the 62nd minute but Hillary Otieno’s well curled shot was saved by Nduati to keep his side in the game.Wazito doubled their advantage in the 76th minute through Wekesa who dribbled into the area before beating Nduati who slipped for the second.Murang’a pulled one back in the 82nd minute through Balecho who fired home after Wazito keeper Zamu Adisa spilled a Dennis Munyovi cross.Wazito were reduced to ten men in 90th minute when Tyson Otieno was sent off for a second booking. There was more drama deep into stoppage time when Murang’a won a penalty but Adisa redeemed himself with a great save.Full timeWazito FC 2-1 Murang’a Seal FC#Wazito4life— Wazito Football Club (@wazitofc) August 4, 2022 The two teams meet again on Sunday for the return leg at the St. Sebastian Park in Murang’a.
