Kariobangi Sharks beat City Stars in KPL to move to the top of the FKF Premier League standings after beating fellow high flying side Nairobi City Stars 2-1 at the Ruaraka Complex on Sunday.
Patrick Otieno scored the winning goal off the bench after Ezekiel Odera had cancelled out Geoffrey Shiveka’s early first half penalty.
The victory sees Sharks sit top of the log with 16 points, two ahead of erstwhile leaders Gor Mahia who are unengaged in league matches due to their involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Sharks were off to a good start and came inches close after less than 10 minutes but were denied by the woodwork when Steve Otieno’s freekick hit the upright.
They however got into the lead after 24 minutes when Shiveka converted from the penalty spot after the speedy Erick Mmata had been axed inside the box by Lennox Ogutu.
Kariobangi Sharks beat City Stars in KPL, As City Stars trailed at halftime but upon resumption came in with eagerness to get their feet back into the pedals and they did so in the 55th minute when Odera finished off from close range.
But despite going down, William Muluya’s boys didn’t give up the fight and continued with their pressure, which paid off in the 68th minute when Otieno who had come on as a second half substitute finished off at the backpost off a Mmata cross.
Sharks managed to hold on to the win to ensure another perfect outing.
Sofapaka FC players celebrate one of their goals against Kenya Police
Meanwhile, goals from Joe Waithira and skipper Lawrence Juma saw Sofapaka beat Kenya Police 2-0 at the Kasarani Annex.
Waithira broke the deadlock for Batoto ba Mungu just after five minutes with a neat finish to give Sofapaka a dream start. Police, who have had a rough start to life in the top flight did all they could to engineer a comeback.
They came close when Duke Abuya saw his header off a Clifton Miheso cross come off the bar.
In the second half, Police intensified their search for an equalizer but were pegged back when an error from debuting keeper Gideon Ogweno gifted Lawrence Juma with the second goal to cushion the advantage for Sofapaka.
Sofapaka skipper Lawrence Juma shield the ball from Kenya Police defender Musa Mohamed
The goal punctured Police’s drive and Sofapaka managed to hold on to the lead.
Elsewhere in Thika, AFC Leopards suffered their fifth consecutive loss of the season after going down by a solitary goal against Bidco United. Leopards have not won a single match since their opening day 1-0 victory over defending champions Tusker FC.
Emmanuel Mogaka scored the winning goal for Bidco in a match they had to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men after Zachary Gathu was sent off barely 10 minutes after coming on.
The home side were off to a good start with Brian Nyakan seeing his shot saved by debuting AFC Leopards keeper Levis Opiyo before Gabriel Wandera headed just wide from Peter Nzuki’s corner.
Bidco United players celebrate a goal in a past match
Leopards were trying to get a hold of the match and did well to control huge chunks of possession, but did little to offer an attacking threat.
In the second half, Bidco stepped up in search of a goal and got the much-needed opener when Mogaka, coming on as a substitute slotted from the penalty spot after Alex Juma was hauled down inside the box.
After conceding, Leopards were bolted to a change with Maxwell Otieno and Daniel Sunguti coming in for Brian Wanyama and Eugene Mukangula as they sought to add some punch in attack.
The change sparked some life into Leopards and they poured in more in the attack. They were gifted a chance to draw level late in the game off a penalty, but Washington Munene could not take advantage as he blasted the ball over.
In other results, Kakamega Homeboyz beat Nzoia Sugar 1-0, FC Talanta beat Mathare United 2-0 while Wazito earned their first win of the season with a 1-0 result over Ulinzi Stars.
Also, Read: City Stars down troubled Mathare United to go second
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