FKF Premier League: Kipkirui on target as Nairobi City Stars cage troubled Leopards

Nairobi City Stars Timothy Ouma (left) and Marvin Omondi of AFC Leopards during FKF Premier League match at Ruaraka grounds on Tuesday, Aug 3, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Former Gor Mahia striker Nicholas Kipkirui scored the winner as Nairobi City Stars narrowly defeated AFC Leopards 2-1 in a tight midweek Football Kenya Federation Premier League match played at Ruaraka Grounds on Tuesday.

Ezekiel Odera gave City Stars a narrow 1-0 halftime lead after netting in the 35th minute before Washington Munene leveled the scores at the hour mark.

Kipkirui would score the winner in the 68th minute as City stars held on to register their 12th win of the season.

The win saw Simba wa Nairobi moved temporarily into third place in the standings with 44 points same as Kariobangi Sharks but with a superior goal difference.

In the match, Said Tsuma wasted Ingwe’s first chance of the game in the eighth minute after sending wide his close-range effort.

Ingwe’s top scorer Elvis Rupia drought continued after missing to increase his season’s tally of 15 goals by sending wide a 20-yard freekick in the 20th minute.

Leopards continued to go on the offensive looking for an opener but City Stars led by captain Anthony Kimani and defender Wycliffe Otieno stood tall to keep Ingwe at bay.

City Stars would take the lead against the run of time after Bolton omwenga’s delivery into the box found an unmarked Odera who headed home past a helpless Benjamin Ochan to give City Stars the lead in the 35th minute.

In the final half, Ingwe started on a high note looking for an early equalizer after Harun mwendwa set up Peter Thiongo whose final mid-range shot missed the target by inches.

Ingwe’s resilience finally paid off in the 63rd minute after Munene spectacularly restored parity for Leopards with a long range freekick that beat Steve Njumge in goal for City stars.

Five minutes later, City Stars responded through former Gor Mahia striker Kipkirui who sent Ochan the wrong way and netting the winner in the 68th minute.