Just when it mattered most Nairobi City Stars failed to keep a cool head as they lost 2-0 to a stuttering Bidco United side in a game that had comedic officiating as two red cards and penalties were on show in an entertaining Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) clash staged at the Thika Stadium.Ezekiel Odera and Geoffrey Gitau were handed their marching orders in the second half for a scuffle as Nicholas Kipkirui failed to convert two penalties but Peter Nzuki converted his spot kick to hand Bidco the much needed win.Bidco head coach Anthony Akhulia could not hide his joy after arresting the slump that they had dug themselves into and was impressed with the 2-0 scoreline that hands them some breathing space in the relegation scrap.”It’s was a good match, it’s been a long time coming since we last won, we had to do something because we were sinking deeper and deeper but a 2-0 win is a good one,” said Akhulia.His counterpart Nicholas Muyoti admitted that they were on the back food in the first half but two substitutions enabled them to sharpen their attack but bemoaned the two penalties awarded in the game.”We did not have a good game in the first half, we had a very slow start and let Bidco possess the game, in the second half we made two changes that made us attack more, both penalties should not have been a penalty and we really need to look into our officiating,” said Muyoti.We suffer defeat in Thika#CityStars #BIDNCS pic.twitter.com/yPcsFu6IZK— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) March 5, 2022 Bidco came into the clash reeling after a run of six games without a win which had seen them slip into the relegation dog fight that includes Mathare United, Nzoia Sugar and Wazito FC.City Stars on the other hand were high flying in the league following a run of seven games unbeaten which had seen them stay within touching distance of log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.The duel was off to a feisty start owing to their well documented closely fought battles from back in the National Super League (NSL) but they struggled to create clear cut chances in the opening 30 minutes.The best chance of the half came in the 38th minute when Zachary Gathu floated in a cross from the right channel that looked overcooked but it narrowly missed the target on it’s way out.Anthony Akhulia’s charges had another chance to break the deadlock a minute before half time when Emmanuel Mogaka floated in a cross had was nodded high by David Orem much to his own frustration after wasting a glorious chance as both teams went into half locked in a barren draw.Second half Following the drab opening half both coaches dipped into their bench with Nicholas Muyoti bringing in the City Stars duo of Nicholas Kipkirui and Davis Agesa for John Kamau and Elvis Noor respectively while Anthony Akhulia introduced Alex Juma in place of Emmanuel Mogaka.Bidco were handed a penalty six minutes after resumption when the referee saw a hand ball inside the box from an Alex Juma corner that drew widespread protests from the entire City Stars team. The experienced Peter Nzuki stepped up to take the penalty and held his nerve to slot the ball into the top left corner to hand the Thika-based club a lead.Ezekiel Odera had a moment of madness in the 58th minute when he was fouled by Geoffrey Gitau but the former AFC Leopards forward woke and and descended on Gitau with blows and later feigning an injury. The referee sent both players for an early shower with Gitau left surprised by the decision as he looked to ponder on what offense he had committed.Bidco doubled their lead in the 76th minute when Jacob Onyango received the ball just outside the box and let lose of thunderbolt that found the back of the net as the whole Bidco bench joined in celebration.City Stars were handed a penalty in the 88th minute when Nicholas Kipkirui was brought down outside the box but the referee pointed to the spot with the former Gor Mahia forward stepping up to take the penalty but he saw his effort saved by Brian Opondo in goal.The lineman however spotted Opondo off his line before the penalty was taken and ordered for a retake with Kipkirui again trusted with the spot kick duties but he could not hold his nerve with Opondo again saving the penalty as Bidco held on for a 2-0 win.City Stars Starting XI: Steve Njunge, Calvins Masawa (Agustine Kuta 72′), Kennedy Onyango, Lennox Ogutu, Dennis Wanjala, Anthony Kimani, Peter Opiyo (Oliver Maloba 71′), Timothy Ouma, Elvis Noor (Davis Agesa 46′), John Kamau (Nicholas Kipkirui 46′), Ezekiel Odera.Unused subs: Elvis Ochoro, Herit Mungai, Kevin Okumu, Charles Otieno, Salim Abdalla.Bidco Starting XI: Brian Opondo, Lambert Otieno, Geoffrey Gitau, Francis Oduor, Kassim Mwinyi, Peter Nzuki, Emmanuel Mogaka (Alex Juma 46′), Jacob Onyango, David Orem (Nelson Chieta 57′), Gathu Zachary, David Gateri (Batts Awita 57′).Unused Subs: Ezekiel Owade, Gabriel Wandera, Lameck Oloo, Steven Okiro, Stephen Obukui, Stephen Waruru.
