NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 6 – Nairobi City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti says he is delighted with how his players responded from a run of three losses in four matches to down AFC Leopards 3-2 at the Kasarani Stadium over the weekend.
Simba wa Nairobi has had a difficult start to the campaign but the victory against Ingwe was a massive boost for Muyoti, who is a former Leopards captain and assistant coach.
“I think we managed the game really well and scored good goals. We had a shaky start but once we got into the game, I believe we gave a good account of ourselves. It is a morale boosting victory for us because as players when you lose consecutive games it damages the mental strength of the players,” said Muyoti.
City Stars had managed to lock down Leopards and were headed for a 3-0 win, but two goals, including a contentious penalty in the final 10 minutes of the game almost snatched victory from their arms.
“That was a very soft penalty but always the referee’s decision is final. It almost cost us the game but I am happy that despite the little moment of nerves, we managed to see off the win,” said the coach.
Leopards were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute when substitute Maxwell Otieno went down easily after an aerial tussle with Timothy Muganda. Brian Yakhama stepped up to score the spotkick for a 3-1 score.
Three minutes to time, Ingwe went a goal closer when Bonface Kweyu tapped home from close range after the City Stars keeper had spilled Kaycie Odhiambo’s freekick.
City Stars had gone into a 3-0 lead, scoring the opener after 23 minutes when Vincent Owino scored with a thunderous freekick from range.
In the second half, they doubled the lead nine minutes after the restart when Samuel Kapen scored into an empty net after keeper Humphrey Katasi clashed with his own defender Vincent Mahiga as they tried to cut off a long ball from Dennis Wanjala.
They went into a 3-0 lead after 61 minutes, this time Kapen turning from scorer to provider, teeing up Robin Asemwa whose dipping shot came off the inside of the bar and into the net.
The performance was a joy for Muyoti, but he wants his side to tighten defensively, as they progress into the season.
“In previous matches we have been creating and not scoring and in this game, I am pleased that we scored more. Also, save for the penalty, we were better defensively and definitely this is an area I would want us to improve on as we move,” noted Muyoti.
The coach remains optimistic that despite the tough start to the season, they will finish inside the top half of the standings.
“We have a very young team and they are learning daily. We pick lessons and gather experience in each match and I am certain that we will get better,” noted Muyoti.
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