Nambute’s late strike denies Kariobangi first win
Francis Nambute scored at the death to help Posta Rangers secure a dramatic 3-3 draw with Kariobangi Sharks in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at Kasarani Stadium yesterday.
The result left Sharks’ two-goal hero James Mazembe visibly disappointed as he broke down into tears and had to be calmed down by his colleagues.
Sharks coach William Muluya could also not comprehend his team drawing with Rangers on split seconds as he hurriedly stormed out of the pitch and declined interviews with journalists.
Placed 15th in the KPL standings, Sharks have now gone eight matches without a win amid reports that the management is mulling the idea of sacking Muluya over the lacklustre performance.
During the highly-physical match, it was Sharks who drew first blood, former national Under-23 striker Sydney Lokale turning his markers inside-out in the 24th minute with his bullet shot beating Rangers goalkeeper Jairus Adira all the way.
Three minutes later, Mazembe, who was a handful to Rangers defence, missed a sitter from 16 yards out as Sharks sought to consolidate the lead.
Instead, it was Rangers who pulled off the equaliser through yet another brace scorer in Nambute who struck at the near post after a quick restart.
As the game wore on, Mazembe twice pulled the trigger which failed to trouble Adira but was third time lucky in the 74th minute when he struck from a tight angle in what could be one of the classiest goals of the season.
Billy Opora scored Rangers second in the 82nd minute before Nambute delivered the sucker punch.
Meanwhile, a resilient Kakamega Homeboyz laboured to a 2-2 draw with hosts Ulinzi Stars at Afraha Stadium while eccentric striker Peter Thiong’o saved Kakamega Homeboyz from the jaws of defeat with a late goal that saw his side pick a point in a 2-2 draw against Ulinzi Stars at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
Steven Wakhanya opened the scoring for Homeboyz before Enosh Ochieng, scoring his third goal in as many days, leveled matters for Ulinzi.
John Kago put Ulinzi in the lead just five minutes after restart but Thiong’o turned the game on its head in the 90th minute to break Ulinzi’s hearts.
At Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, AFC Leopards showed grit to hold pre-match favourites Tusker to a barren draw few hours after KCB had pelted Wazito 2-1 at the same venue.
KCB found the target through Enock Agwanda and Simeon Munala while Wazito marksman was Lloyd Wahome.
