Fortune Sacco switch off Coast Stima as Mt Kenya, APS Bomet and Talanta win Betika Legues fixtures
Mount Kenya United stretched their sterling performance in the Betika National Super League (NSL) with, albeit narrow, a 2-1 win over Modern Coast Rangers at Camp Toyoyo in Jericho yesterday.
A brace by the winners’ predatory striker Kyaci Odhiambo was enough to cancel out the opener by Ibrahim Kiprotich who had earlier spurned a golden chance in the 84th minute.
Mount Kenya Coach James Nandwa gave plaudits to his charges for displaying great character against tough opposition.
“ It was a game of two halves but I must say I have noted great improvement from my players which is quite encouraging.
We made a false start in the season but we are gradually picking our pieces and at this rate, I expect a good finish in the league,” said Nandwa whose team faces Talanta in the next fixture.
On his part, Modern Coast tactician Ahmed Mchula blamed individual mistakes for the defeat.
“There were some glaring frailties in the defence which should not be repeated although it was discernible that we were wasteful in front of goal,” said Nandwa.
The first half of the fast paced match saw both teams create chances most of which went begging.
Hosts Mt.Kenya United had a huge chunk of the game in the early exchanges and led by indefatigable captain Eric Ochieng they found Rangers defence a hard nut to crack.
Interestingly, it was Rangers who drew first blood through Innocent Kiprotich in the seventh minute after he beat the offside trap and lobbed the ball over the unsuspecting Mount Kenya custodian Joel Mukabi.
As the game gathered momentum, the teams traded powerful shots at each other’s goalmouth, thus keeping both sets of goalkeepers busy.
Later on, there were some quick passes from Eric Mata and Kevin Ndungu which kept Rangers’ defence quite busy.
An equalizer for Mount Kenya had to come and it duly did when Mata teed off Atisizo Odhiambo who took his time and controlled the ball before unleashing a sizzler from 20 yards and into the back of the net.
