Nairobi City Stars are slowly being drawn into crisis mode after losing their third successive game of the season following a 2-1 loss to FC Talanta who came from behind to collect all three points in a clash staged at the Ruaraka Stadium on Sunday 4 December.Peter Pinchez Opiyo converted a penalty in the opening five minutes but second half goals from Georson Likono and Castro Ogendo handed Talanta their maiden win of the season.City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti lamented their lapse in concentration midway through the second half but noted that his team showed improved from their 4-1 thumping at the hands of Tusker last week.”Today we really tried, we defended well in the first half, we got a goal very early but had a lapse in concentration in the second half and that is an area of concern. Today there was an improvement in the team with regards to the last game we played,” said Muyoti.Talanta head coach Ken Kenyatta heaped praise on City Stars despite losing their opening two games which he admitted made their encounter a difficult one.”City Stars are a good side and lost the last two matches meaning that it was to be a tough game but I thank God that we managed to win the game but it was not easy,” said Kenyatta.Mwangi’s first half strike earns KCB three points down at CoastSimba wa Nairobi came into the match looking to overwrite their two match losing streak following deflating losses against Bidco United and Tusker FC that left them rooted to the bottom of the standings coming into match day three.Talanta on the other hand registered a 2-2 draw against Kariobangi Sharks in their only match of the season as they missed match day two due to their opponents Wazito FC having a pending court case after Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) issued a stay order on the decision by the FKF National Executive to nullify promotion and relegation of teams in the 2021/22 season.Nicholas Muyoti’s side had a bright start to the game and were rewarded for their early pressure when Vincent Otieno was hacked down by Shela Mandela with the referee Lucy Juma pointing to the spot.Peter Pinchez Opiyo stepped up to take the penalty and had ice in his veins to expertly dispatch the penalty despite the goalkeeper, Kevin Otieno diving the right direction.##NAJAVA_MECA_6861908##Talanta finally settled into the game after going down as they dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge to slice open the resolute City Stars defense with Elvis Ochoro having a field day in goal.Dennis Wanjala was unfortunate to go down with an injury after an elbow from Barrack Odhiambo and he could not continue as Herit Mungai was introduced in his place in the 28th minute.Talanta’s composure in the final third was lacking as they had the ball for huge spells but struggled to trouble the goal keeper and went into the half time break trailing 1-0.Talanta made triple substitutions in the 57th minute as Angal Oporia, Vincent Otieno and Georson Likono were handed the nod in place of Alex Dunga, Winston Song and Barrack Odhiambo.The substitutes did not take long to weave their magic as Likono whipped in a devlish cross from the right channel that was misjudged by Elvis Ochoro in goal who failed to gather as the ball bounced into the net for the equalizer in the 63rd minute.New Rangers forward Lewis Shivachi keen on netting goals for fun in FKF PLWith wind in their sails after grabbing the equalizer they wasted no time in completing the come back as four minutes later, Likono who was lively after coming on floated in a cross that was tapped into the net from close range by Castro Ogendo.Talanta had a number of chances in the closing stages of the game but settled for the 2-1 win to pick their first win of the season.City Stars Starting XI: Elvis Ochoro, Rowland Makati, Dennis Wanjala, Edwin Buliba, Kennedy Onyango, Peter Opiyo (Clifford Otieno 67′), Kapen Samuel, Noor Elvis, Vincent Otieno (Ezekiel Odera 67′), Newton Ochieng (Anthony Kimani 46′), Daniel Odhiambo.Subs: Jacob Osano, Mungai Herit, Oliver Maloba, Elly Osotsi.Talanta XI: Kevin Otieno, Song Winstone, Erick Lusala, Luis Masika, Shela Mandela, Castro Ogendo (December Kisala 71′), Barrack Odhiambo, Dunga Alex, Brian Yakhama, Dennis Oalo, Jairo Michael.Subs: Jairus Adira, George Ouma, Morgan Owino, Vincent Otieno, Georson Likono, Angal Oporia.
