Kusaba scores debut goal as City Stars drown Seal

Japanese forward Yuto Kusaba finally opened his goal account in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League after kissing the back of the net in Nairobi City Stars' 3-0 win over debutants Murang'a Seal at the Police Sacco Grounds on Saturday.

Signed in the off-season transfer window but registered in February, Kusaba, became the first Asian player to play and score in the Kenyan top tier in recent memory after converting from the spot.

The left-footed forward who made his league bow in February against returnees Shabana in Machakos stepped up to slot the ball home from twelve yards after Peter Mwaura brought Newton Ochieng down.

The incident bore a red card for defensive midfielder Ally Yusuf as his strong words while challenging the decision were deemed inappropriate.

After push and pull and appeals by Seal players around the spot, Kusaba picked the ball and tucked the ball on the left corner while at the same time, sending Bonphas Munyasa the wrong way.

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Before Kusaba, who came in the second half, put the icing on the City Stars cake, his colleagues had did the most to guarantee the team maximum points on the muddy surface.

After a goalless first half, City Stars took the lead in the 54th minute through Mohamed Bajaber who converted from the spot after Samuel Semo fouled Kapen in the box.

Kapen, who was a handful of the right wing, set up the second goal after dribbling past Seal skipper Peter Mwaura before finding the unmarked Dennis Oalo few yards from the box.

Oalo, let fly a shot that beat the fully-stretching Munyasa to double the advantage for City Stars in the 59th minute.

A rather unfortunate incident was witnessed after the final whistle as irate Seal fans accompanied by club chairman Robert Macharia cautioned coach Abdallah Juma against sharing his post-match thoughts with the KBC crew and a battery of journalists on standby to hear from the outspoken gaffer.

It is understood that Seal felt hard done by the calls Calary made, the two penalties he dished to City Stars and the red card to Yusuf.

Having heard from his boss who was barking instructions from the perimeter fence of zone 1, Juma, who was warming up for the questions, excused himself, before joining his troops to the dressing room.

Defeat for Seal means that they drop one place to 11th on the log with 34 points from 26 matches played.

Nicholas Muyoti’s side, despite not moving from fifth spot, made ground with the top four, and are now tied with fourth placed Kenya Police on 42 points having played an extra game.

Meanwhile at Mumias Sports Complex, Ugandan midfielder Shaffik Batambuze ensured Kakamega Homeboyz extended their unbeaten run to eight matches after scoring a first half freekick to secure a 1-1 draw against visiting Kariobangi Sharks.

Moses Shikanda had given William Muluya's side a 22nd minute lead with a freekick goal but the hosts equalized minutes later to see them drop to 12th place on the standings with 31 points.