NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 20 – Michael Oduor’s solitary strike in the first half was all Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) FC needed to down Kenya Police FC in their opening FKF Premier League match of the season at the Kasarani Annex on Sunday evening.
Police, one of the busiest sides in the pre-season transfer window could not get their groove going in a cagy match, with Zedekiah Otieno’s charges making the most of their best chance of the game.
Oduor slapped a low shot into the bottom left a minute to the break.
A defensive clearance from Musa Mohamed was blocked and the ball fell kindly on Nicholas Kipkurui who set the ball kindly on a platter for Oduor to strike hard and low into the net.
Prior to that, both sides had chances.
In the 12th minute, a blunder by keeper Job Ochieng whose short pass was intercepted by Henry Ochieng created the first chances for the bankers. Ochieng laid the ball for Michael Mutinda but he was closed down quickly and couldn’t get a clean strike into an empty net.
Six minutes on the opposite end, Clifton Miheso who was back into the team after finally agreeing to extend his contract had a chance with a shot-cum-cross which keeper Gabriel Andika managed to turn behind for a corner.
Minutes later, Police had a chance when Harun Shakava pickpocketed Kipkurui of the ball at the edge of the box before bursting up on a counter. He set up Alvin Mang’eni, but the latter’s shot at goal was weak and easily saved.
In the second half, Policepiled in the pressure with Elvis Rupia brought in to spice the forward line, but the Police side could not get past the watertight KCB backline.
