Vihiga United beat Western Stima 2-0 at A.S.K Grounds, Nakuru to keep their survival hopes alive with five matches to play.A goal in each half from Stewart Omondi and Wycliffe Nthata ensured that Vihiga United sealed the win to take their point tally to 20 points, and within one point off Western Stima.This was Mike Mururi’s charges fourth win of the season, the other three coming against Gor Mahia and a league double over Nzoia Sugar.Omondi opened the scoring in the first half, just six minutes into the game with a superb strike from inside the six-yard area to see the visitors take an early lead.FULL TIME Western Stima 0 Vihiga United 2Stewart Omondi ⚽️Wycliffe Nthata ⚽️#StimaVsVihiga#BKPL pic.twitter.com/WRNgtUGOal— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 25, 2021 Laban Otieno had the chance to set Stima level just moments after the goal from a well-lofted ball but his effort went just over the bar.23 minutes into the game, Vihiga United won their first corner and decided to play it short with Stima height in defence thwarting their efforts from crosses. Goalscorer Omondi went past two Western Stima defenders and shot at goal but Richard Aimo came to Stima’s rescue.At the half-hour mark, Juma Abdalla’s side could have leveled the scores from a Geoffrey Ojunga freekick but the hero against AFC Leopards was denied by the post with Morgan Ambuka well beaten.Four minutes to the break, Stima were presented with another chance emanating from a miss-communication in Vihiga’s backline but again Ambuka stood firm in goal to deny Rodgers Ouma.💡| HALF TIME Stewart Omondi’s 6th minute goal the difference here at NakuruWestern Stima 0 Vihiga United 1#StimaVsVihiga#BKPL pic.twitter.com/e2QUzuTP1C— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) July 25, 2021 On resumption, Stima came back hoping to continue pushing for an equalizer but they were dazzled with a second Vihiga goal just nine minutes into the second half.Nthata took advantage of Stima’s defensive error, picking a loose ball in the 6-yard box again and slotting it into the net to double the lead for Vihiga.Chasing the game, and needing two goals to at least salvage a point, Juma effected a triple change by bringing in RichDonald Bolo, Yusuf Juma, and Kennedy Otieno for Laban Otieno, Baron Oketch, and Vitalis Akumu.He would follow up that substitution with another one, resting the industrious Ouma and bring in the fresh feet of Swaleh Mbaruk.Mururi responded by bringing in Richard Igunza and resting Mike Isabwa in an attempt to lock the game and bag all the points.Vighiga could have scored their third for the afternoon with nine minutes left when Michael Odongo beat Western Stima’s offside trap but his cheeky loop over the goalkeeper went over the bar, landing on top of the net.Ambuka ensured that Vihiga went home with all the points, making save after save throughout the game to deny Stima’s striking force.
