Slum side stun favourites Nairobi Stima in mid-week Betika League thriller
Kibera Black Stars yesterday moved to fourth position on the log with 36 points after twice coming from behind to beat Nairobi Stima 3-2 in a thrilling Betika Super League midweek match played at Camp Toyoyo grounds.
The Round 23 mid-week matches witnessed a record 26 goals scored in nine matches.
Goals by Ronald Okello, Daniel Odhiambo and Dennis Ochien’g were enough for the Black Stars to win the closely contested duel and enter the playoffs bracket as they seek to beat the odds and get qualification to the top tier.
The two goals from Stima came through Fortune Omotto and Rooney Kola on either side of the half.
“Overall we had a good game especially since we conceded first through a mistake of our own, but we managed to regroup and settled into the match.
This shows that the players have good character. After our last game where we drew, we went back to the drawing board and it is now a good feeling to return to our winning ways and we want to continue with the run,” said Black Stars coach Elvis Ayany.
It was a fairly balanced half with both sides showing hunger with good football.
Kibera Black Stars were quick on the break and movement especially from the flanks as Stima had to cope all through with waves of attacks.
However, against the run of play with Stima on the attack down the middle through Billy Mustami saw a poor clearance from then Black Stars defender Michael Omulama but an arriving Samuel Semo simply teed forward Omotto who hit a high roof ball for Stima’s opener in the 32nd minute.
Barely two minutes after restart, had the slum-boys equalized through Okello following a good cross down the right from Robinson Mule as the Stima keeper Tom Muthomi was left rooted to the spot and winded out later to a 1-1 draw at half time.
The second half started with good tempo from both ends with Stima especially starting with high tempo with high pressing.
However, it was Black Stars who had the immediate impact after four minutes of resumption, but a few minutes later a loose ball from Black Stars in the middle saw Stima capitalize instantly from Rooney Kola in the 49th minute.
From then on, it was pure madness as Black Stars equalize one minute later through Daniel Odhiambo and three minutes later Dennis Ochien’g added the third.
Five-star
In other matches, five-star Vihiga Bullets trounced hosts Coast Stima 5-0 to move joint fourth with Black Stars thanks to goals from Lucky Musyoki in the 46th minute, Jackson Oketch on 53 minutes, Kevin Saida with a brace in the 73rd and 83rd minutes and Lucas Weiter’s goal in the 75th minue.
Shabana moved third on the log with 37 points after a 2-0 win over visitors Silibwet Leons at Migori Stadium.
Top of the table side FC Talanta once again drew 1-1 against Mully Children’s Family at Ruaraka Grounds in a midday clash to push them to 42.
Kenya Police also got a draw away at Kisumu Hot Stars while Migori Youth lost 1-0 at home against visiting Modern Coast Rangers.
