On form Omala guides Nairobi United to victory over profligate KCB

FKF Premier League debutants Nairobi United returned to winning ways after beating KCB FC 2-0 at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, 15 January.

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Naibois, who came to the match without a win in their last two, needed two strikes from the on-form Dancan Omala and Ovella Ochieng to register only their second win of 2026.

Ali Salim’s side took the lead of the rescheduled tie at the end of a cagy first half when Omala arrowed a shot past Bonphas Munyasa, before Ovella doubled the lead from a free-kick late in the 82nd minute.

KCB, who were without head coach Robert Matano on compassionate grounds, were guilty of spurning numerous goal-scoring opportunities, as they ultimately extended their winless run this year, and dropped further away from what was deemed as a title challenge.

With the win, Nairobi United moved above the Bankers into seventh place on 23 points, while KCB, now without a win in their last three games, dropped to eighth, a point adrift of their opponents.

Match Report

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After another week of incomings, and perhaps one significant outgoing from the technical bench, there was a feel of newness around Nairobi United, but it was the same old faces that turned to be the game deciders.

Having had the luxury to unleash a new player almost every day, coach Ali handed youth player Kepha Wanjala his debut, and opted to go with the old-guard, though with recent arrivals Biko Omollo, Chris Waibi and Mustafa Kizza occupying the bench.

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The first chance of the game for Naibois went in the way of Enock Machaka, who sent a clear chance wide in the 14th minute, after some good combination play from Majaliwa Charo and Lesley Otieno.

The latter was the next in line just five minutes later, when he stung the gloves of Munyasa from range, even as Paul Ogai’s side looked to gain some balance.

It was not long till they did, as John Otieno was fortunate not to send his attempted clearance straight into his own net, with Kelvin Etemesi lurking.

Boniface Maruti would have then opened the scoring in the 26th minute, but blazed his effort over Ernest Mohammed’s goal despite being in a promising position.

December Kisakah followed later with a spurned chance, this time testing Mohammed from a tight angle, and with nobody to claim a rebound.

All those misses perhaps laid the platform for Nairobi United to attack on the other end, but a neat exchange of passes between Machaka and Lesley was not enough to force the latter past Munyasa.

©Gad Isaac

Etemesi, on the other end, had two chances to grab the opener, but sent a 35th minute shot straight at Mohammed, then comically slipped when through on goal.

With the first half dwindling out, Omalla pounced, benefitting from good interplay from Wanjala and Shami Mwinyi to blast a shot past Munyasa.

The strike, his second in consecutive games, was his fourth this season, and he would have made it five after the break, when he shot directly at Munyasa.

New KCB signing David Sakwa, on the other end, aimed for the birds when a 55th minute cut-back was sent his way, moments before Machaka narrowly missed a chance at the backpost.

The last straw for KCB would later come with seven minutes of play remaining, when Ovella sent his freekick from the left through the outstretched arms of Munyasa, completing the Thursday afternoon heist.

©Gad Isaac