Western Stima switch off Posta on KPL return

Western Stima players celebrate their goal against Posta Rangers during their SportPesa Premier League match at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on December 8, 2018. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO |

What you need to know:

  • On resumption, Western Stima under new coach Paul Ogai took the game to their opponents half and in the 64th minute their efforts were rewarded when captain Wesley Kemboi put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, who failed to hold a powerful volley following a goalmouth melee.
  • Omollo brought in Ken Mutembei, Cavin Odongo, Francis Mabute for Dennis Ongeri, Gerson Likono and John Nairuka.

Western Stima made a sweet comeback to the SportPesa Kenya Premier League when they switched off the unlucky Posta Rangers 1-0 in a closely contested match at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Saturday.

The Sammy Omollo-coached Rangers will rue this opening match as they had the lion share of missed chances, which they failed to convert into goals.

John Nairuka, who had a bad day in the office, started the tale of missed chances as early as in the ninth minute, when he fired to the waiting hands of goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo.

Moments later Juma Brian wasted another easy scoring opportunity, when his glancing header inside the danger zone missed the target.

Rangers' new signing Dennis Ongeri failed to connect with a powerful volley just outside the 18 yard mark in the 39th minute.

On resumption, Western Stima under new coach Paul Ogai took the game to their opponents half and in the 64th minute their efforts were rewarded when captain Wesley Kemboi put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, who failed to hold a powerful volley following a goalmouth melee.

Posta Rangers' John Nairuka attempts to go past Western Stima's Kevin Akongo during their SportPesa Premier League match at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on December 8 2018. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO |

Omollo brought in Ken Mutembei, Cavin Odongo, Francis Mabute for Dennis Ongeri, Gerson Likono and John Nairuka.

On the opposite side, Ogai introduced Henry Onyango, Herbert Kopany and Berry Kote for Erustus Mwaniki, Wesley Kemboi and Kennedy Otieno.

Coach Ogai said he was impressed by his charges first victory and promised to extend it in their next match against Tusker at home.

“This victory is a big morale booster for the boys who are returning in top flight football. We need now to continue winning to prove that we deserved the promotion, “ said coach Ogai.

On his part, Omollo conceded defeat and blamed his charges for failing to translate the dozen scoring chances into goals.

“Generally I think the boys were in good shape particularly the new signings such as Francis Mambute, and Ken Mutembie. What we need is to fight more in our next match against Nakumat," said Omollo.