Kariobangi Sharks have launched their bid to clinch the 2023 Elite pre-season Cup on a positive note after coming from a goal down to edge Posta Rangers 2-1 at Utalii grounds on Monday. The group A match of the second edition of the tournament was, preceded by a pool B clash that ended in favour of Bidco United who floored Nairobi City Stars by a solitary goal. Sharks who reached the knockout stage of the first edition held last year at the Kasarani Annex handed Rangers a rude welcome to the tournament, rallying from a goal down to deny the mailmen what would have been their first ever win in the showpiece. 📸|Some actions from the Half.Posts 1-2 Sharks#ElitePreseasonCup pic.twitter.com/shhPFjde0v— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) August 7, 2023 Rangers and National Super League side Kajiado FC are new to the tournament after replacing four-time Kenyan champions Ulinzi Stars and MCF respectively. Rangers took the lead in the 15th minute through Erick Kipkirui who fired the ball home from the spot after Stanley Wilson brought Vincent Wasambo down in the area.Wilson, a new signing hacked Wasambo down in the full glare of the centre referee who pointed to the spot, giving Rangers a chance to take the lead.##NAJAVA_MECA_7409455##Prior to the goal, Rangers had asked a couple of questions in the Sharks area with goalkeeper Bernard Jairo providing answers.The budding custodian who returned to the club after severing ties with Mathare United pulled a couple of decent saves to keep the scores evenly but when faced with the challenge of stopping one from the spot, he guessed the wrong way. Sharks who stepped up after conceding leveled matters in the 20th minute through an own goal from Kennedy Owino.Elite Pre-Season Cup: Bidco down City Stars in openerA cut back from Leon Otieno that was intended to find Victor Ngume inadvertently bounced off Owino’s back with the ball rolling freely past the line.Sharks doubled their lead in the 38th minute through Kevin Luke Otiala who let fly a half volley few yards outside the area, connecting a cut back from Geoffrey Onyango to beat Samuel Njau.📸|Moving into the break Otialla extends puts us ahead with a long range shotPosta 1-2 Sharks#ElitePreseasonCup pic.twitter.com/WyIM5IOB58— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) August 7, 2023 Otiala who was playing in midfield rather the heart of the defence which is his preferred territory, perfectly struck the ball that took a deflection and in the process, beat the fully stretching Njau.Being a pre-season tournament, both teams capitalized on the relaxed rules to makes as many changes as possible in a bid to test all the players.Scores of chances were created by either team in the second half but none had the ball in the net, much to the advantage of Sharks who top group B.
