FKFPL: Otiende strike extends Naibois’ unbeaten run, compounds Sofapaka troubles
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Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 14.03.26. | 15:30
Naibois went into the match on a bad run of form having won just one of their last five matches while Sofapaka were even poorer and on a 15 match-winless streak including seven consecutive losses
Nairobi United returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Sofapaka courtesy of a Kevin Otiende first half strike in a match played at the Kasarani Annex from 1300 hrs
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Naibois went into the match on a bad run of form having won just one of their last five matches while Sofapaka were even poorer and on a 15 match-winless streak including seven consecutive losses.
The match began in an even pace, both teams struggling to find early rhythm as possession exchanged between them through mispasses
Nairobi United began to have more of the ball by the 10th minute as they looked to win initial midfield battles through Brian Magare and Lesley Otieno.
For their spell, Naibois had the match's fort shot on target in the 15th minute when Kevin Wangaya drove through the midfield before unleashing a shot outside the box but it was straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Sofapaka had a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 21st minute through Yassin Rajab from a free kick but Kevin Oduor pulled a brilliant save to preserve the scoreline.
The good Sofapaka spell continued to the 25th minute through a flurry of corners but none was good enough to alter the scoreline.
Sofapaka made the match’s first substitution in the 28th minute, bringing on Adrian Oloo for Francis Ghartey.
Former Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla had a chance to score in the half hour mark but his header from a Lesley cross bounced off and over the bar.
Naibois then took the lead in the 42st minute through Harambee Stars defender Otiende who got to the end of a brilliant exchange of passes with Mustapha Kizza before pulling the trigger from outside the box and into the back of the net.
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Batoto Ba Mungu had a chance to restore parity two minutes later but Malik Ntamba headed wide from a Rajab long ball on the last chance of the first half.
In the second half, Naibois picked up from where they left, controlling possession and benefiting from early chances but none was better than the 50th minute strike by Kizza from a free kick that troubled Morgan Sitawa but the defense saved his blushes.
Two minutes later Aloo took a long range shot for Sofapaka but it did not go any closer to the target.
In a bid to chase the game, Sofapaka introduced Tyron Kariuki and Joseph Kuloba for Japhet Mzungu and Rajab.
Kariuki had an immediate impact, putting Ntamba through on goal with a well weighted pass but with only the keeper to beat, Ntamba miss-kicked the ball which went in the opposite direction.
Dancun Otieno took an ambitious shot from long range for Splofapaka but it skied over the bar.
The 2009 champions had a glorious opportunity once again to level the scores in the 65th minute when the impressive Kariuki on a quick transition dribbled into the Naibois third and in a three against two situation, set up Ntamba but the latter could not strike past Oduor.
Benson Omalla shot direct to the keeper in the 72nd minute even as Naibois intensified their attacks by introducing his younger brother Dancun for Kizza.
The Mozzart Bet Cup defending champions kept pushing for a second of the match that would kill the game but Sofapaka were more solid at the back and restricted them to midfield possession.
For Sofapaka, they had a chance in the 85th minute from a free kick but Kariuki’s strike went inches wide.
Two minutes later, Nairobi's attack led to a save from substitute Shami Kibwana’s strike and with the goalkeeper on the floor, the rebound fell on Gideon Otieno who shot over the bar.
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In the end, Otiende’s strike proved to be the difference as Naibois secured an important victory over Sofapaka.
With the win, Naibois moved up to eighth on the log with 33 points as Sofapaka remain rooted at the bottom with 14 points.
Sofapaka Starting XI: Morgan Sitawa, 2 Stephen Bonney, 3 Dancun Otieno, 12 Shaibbu Idrissu, 16 Yassin Rajab, 22 Malick Ntamba, 25 Movat Kovelo, 27 Francis Ghartey, 30 Eugene Barasa, 32 Ronald Musumba, 71 Japhet Mzungu
Nairobi United Starting XI: Kevin Oduor, Yusuf Mainge, Kevin Otiende, Steve Biko, Kepha Aswani, Lesley Otieno, Brian Magare, Enock Machaka, Kevin Wangaya, Mustapha Kizza, Benson Omalla.
