Nairobi City Stars made it back to back wins in the FKF Premier League as they braved the afternoon rains and out hustled Kariobangi Sharks on their way to a vital 2-1 victory at the Kasarani Annex grounds on Saturday.A pair of goals from hot playmaker Kevin Etemesi and Samuel Kapen that preceded a late goal from Patrick Ngunyi were all but enough for Nicholas Muyoti’s side as they registered their seventh win of the season that eases any pressures on the side that has spent much of their time this season on the lower half of the table.The lions have feasted on the sharks here at Kasarani AnnexKSharks 1-2 NCS#SimbaWaNairobi pic.twitter.com/c7fzt6d32P— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) April 22, 2023 The win takes City Stars up into thirteenth position on the log with 26 points from 26 matches while Kariobangi Sharks – who stumbled to their fourth consecutive loss remain 11th with 33 points having played the same number of matches.Game Recap.The opening events of the game proved technical for both teams as they battled under the pounding rain for much of the first half – the ball barely moving in a waterlogged Annex ground.Kariobangi Sharks came close after seven minutes to break the deadlock through a close shot from Fortune Omotto but returning goalkeeper Steve Njung’e was in hand to make a sweeping save following a miscue from lanky defender Kennedy Onyango.##NAJAVA_MECA_7202023##Sharks were looking the better side in the conditions and could have made their following effort count as Tyson Otieno cleverly found Keith Imbali inside the box – the midfielder shooting straight at the keeper.Nairobi City Stars’ only chance in the first half came through Samuel Kapen just after the half-hour mark with his freekick going a few inches wide and to the much relief of goalkeeper Kevin Ouru.With the rains in Nairobi subsiding, there was much to glean about in the second half as both sides came out to a bright start and it didn’t take long before a side wheeled off in celebration.Full time Nairobi City stars 2-1 Kariobangi SharksUp next Kenya Police vs Gor Mahia#FootballKe— Gus.Fring (@bradjrr) April 22, 2023 Off a brilliant two-goal performance against Vihiga Bullets on Sunday, Kelvin Etemesi was once again on the score sheet as he raced on to a looped ball by substitute James Mazembe to loop the ball over an onrushing Ouru to give City Stars a surprise 1-0 lead.Kariobangi Sharks remained bright in the next few minutes of the game and felt like they should have been awarded a penalty after Keith Imbali’s shot looked to have been deflected just in front of goal after the hour mark.Ayub Timbe makes debut in China as Nanjing City win season openerThe ensuing counter attack was a punishing one for the youthful William Muluhya side as Dennis Oalo found time and space on the right wing before crossing a perfect ball to Samuel Kapen – who headed in his seventh goal of the season – to give double the lead for City Stars.The closing events of the game looked dire for City Stars as they defended deeply and they at the end got their defense breached once again this season through substitute Patrick Ngunyi as he chested in a deflected cross from Shariff Musa to make do a nervy finish to the game.At the end of the match that had seen rain, calm and hopes of sunshine, it was Nairobi City Stars who had done the big job – make Muyoti smile!STARTING XI.Nairobi City Stars: Steve Njung’e, Dennis Wanjala, Edwin Buliba, Kennedy Onyango, Timothy Muganda, Clifford Otieno, Vincent Owino, Andrew Kisilu, Samuel Kapen, Dennis Oalo, Lelvin Etemesi.SUBS: Jacob Osano, Calvins Masawa, Rowland Makati, Elvis Noor, Newton Ochieng, Anthony Kimani, Ezekiel Odera, James Mazembe, Mohammed Ali.Kariobangi Sharks: Kevin Ouru, Collins Obanda, Timothy Ekhavi, Fredrick Alushula, Geoffrey Onyango, Keith Imbali, Byron Otieno, Tyson Otieno, Leonlevitt Otieno, Fortune Omotto, Izaak Otieno.SUBS: Stephanos Wekesa, Moses Shikanda, Steve Omollo, Paul Okoth, Shariff Musa, Patrick Ngunyi, Kelvin Musamali, Sigmunn Maina, Zablon Kutela, Humphrey Omondi.
