NAIROBI, Kenya, January 15 – Nairobi City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti could not contain his joy after their 2-1 win over Sofapaka at Moi Stadium, Kasarani on Saturday earned them their first three points of the FKF Premier League.
Batoto Ba Mungu took the lead in the 20th minute courtesy of Roddy Manga’s penalty before Simba wa Nairobi restored parity in a similar fashion through Ezekiel Odera.
Andrew Kisilu’s goal in the dying embers of the game ensured City Stars’ losing run finally came to an end as Sofapaka slumped to their third loss in nine matches.
Muyoti saluted his players for their belief and resilience through the hard times.
“I am proud of them and I am happy that we have collected our first win. We have been knocking and knocking for too long but things have not been working our way. It has not been easy…it has been hard work but apparently it has not been paying. I thank God that whatever we have been doing has finally paid off,” the former AFC Leopards player said.
City Stars, who lie 16th with five points, still have a tough run of matches to come – a fact that is not lost on Muyoti.
The gaffer insists they still have to improve on a lot of aspects of their game but is nonetheless optimistic that the win will motivate their players to continue working harder.
“Our confidence has certainly gone to another level but I can’t say that we are there yet. I think with this kind of discipline and display that we exhibited today I believe that the matches ahead will be much easier for us,” he said.
Complacency cost us
His opposite in the dugout, David Ouma, lamented the lapse in concentration, which allowed City Stars to nick off a win from the jaws of defeat.
“We started very well…we set up to win. My striker had a one-on-one chance with the keeper in the first 55 seconds and if that had gone in we would have had them chasing the game. We got a penalty, which we converted but then we allowed them back into the game with the equalizer. We got complacent…that is what cost us,” the former Harambee Starlets coach said.
Regardless, Ouma is determined to move on from the defeat and prepare for the felines’ next match on Wednesday against Gor Mahia at the same venue.
“Kudos to City Stars…they had a gameplan that worked well for them. They mostly sat back and hit us on the counter. Just before they scored, we had the chance to make it 2-1 to ourselves but we couldn’t do it. But, then again, it is the nature of the game…some games you win, some you lose,” he said.
At the same stadium, Kenya Police and Ulinzi Stars played out a barren draw as Gor Mahia earned a 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.
In another match, Brian Yakhama scored a hattrick to earn Talanta a 3-2 win over Mathare United as AFC Leopards lost their second game in a row, a 2-1 loss away to Wazito in Muhoroni.
