Goalkeeper Steve Njunge proved to be the hero of the day as Nairobi City Stars survived a late scare to advance to the final of the Elite PreSeason Cup after trouncing Kariobangi Sharks 3-2 on post match penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time of the semifinal encounter played on Thursday afternoon at Kasarani Annex Stadium.The Nicholas Muyoti coached side had let slip a two goal advantage given to them by a Victor Otieno first half brace when Kevin Luke Otiala converted a penalty before super substitute Tyson Otieno forced the game into penalties where Njunge saved three penalties to help his side storm into the finals.”We had a good game in the first half but in the second half we made some changes which did not work out. They benefitted from that but I am glad we managed to get over the line in the penalties which we could have easily avoided,” City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti revealed.Despite defeat, Sharks boss William Muluya cut a delighted figure for the way his team pushed till the final whistle.”Coming from behind in the second half was really pleasing to see. We needed grit in the second half and that is exactly what I got. As a coach, I could have prepared them well for the penalties but we take thatas a learning experience,” he said.It is Kariobangi Sharks who dictated the early tempo in the match and that early dominance could have easily paid off as early as the eighth minute when the diminutive Shariff Musa stole a yard on the City Stars defense with a cute run in behind that was well spotted by Fortune Omoto.Despite getting himself through, his low shot on goal was however dealt with Steve Njunge who punched the ball out for a corner that led to nothing.Sharks continued with their domination on ball possession through the opening quarter of an hour but it is City Stars who made them pay for their fruitless domination as Vincent Otieno finished some quick transition play.It started in the middle of the park when a Sharks pass was intercepted. Newton Ochieng’ started the counter as his cute lobbed ball found Samuel Kapen in acres of space on the right wing.With Sharks defenders retreating, Kapen cleverly layed off the ball after spotting the run of Otieno who only tapped into the back of the empty net to give City Stars the lead.Eight minutes later, the same combination worked again as Kapen’s pin point delivery found Otieno who sealed his brace with a glancing header past John Otieno.Sharks came out revitalized in the second half and a Kevin Luke penalty and a Tyson Otieno goal forced the game into penalties.Penalty ScorersCity Stars – Ezekiel Odera, Mohammed Omar, Kenny OnyangoSharks – Paul Odhiambo, Geoffrey OnyangoMissed PenaltiesCity Stars – Anthony Kimani, Samuel KapenKariobangi Sharks – Kevin Luke, Kevin Wangaya, Fortune OmotoStarting XIKariobangi SharksJohn Otieno (GK), Frederick Alushula, Geoffrey Onyango, Dan Guya, Kevin Luke Otiala, Collins Obanda, Isaac Wasambo, Issa Lumumba, Fortune Omoto, Julius Masaba, Shariff MusaNairobi City StarsNjunge Steve (GK), Rowland Makati, Kennedy Onyango, Kennedy Oduor, Noor Elvisz Kapeni Samuel, Vincent Otieno, Newton Ochieng’, Kelvin Etemesi, Dennis Wanjala.
