Black Stars, Fortune share spoils in league tie

The hosts made a bright start and were rewarded in the 23rd minute when Joshua 'Mello' Otieno calmly slotted home in a one-on-one situation after latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Phoelix Mboya. 

The early goal gave Kibera control, with their attacking play troubling the visitors in the opening half.

Fortune Sacco however, grew into the game after the break and capitalised on a set-piece in the 67th minute. 

A poorly cleared corner fell kindly to Clem Imbayi, who made no mistake from close range to score his third goal of the season and restore parity.

The remainder of the match saw both teams push for a winner, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough, settling for a point apiece.

Fortune Sacco head coach Vincent Nyaberi admitted he anticipated a difficult encounter given how closely matched the teams are on the table.

“I expected the game to be as tough as it was since the difference between us and today’s opponents was only one point, so I am pleased with my boys’ performance,” said Nyaberi.

He also called on the federation to consider appointing higher-level referees as the season nears its conclusion.

“I would like to plead with the federation, since the league is coming to an end, if we can get referees from the Premier League, if they won’t be officiating elsewhere, to come officiate our games,” he added.

Kibera Black Stars head coach Iddi Badi acknowledged his side’s drop in intensity after the break but remained optimistic about their prospects.

“Fortune is a good team, they were really compact in their midfield, which is where they were better than us especially in the second half, but generally it was a fair game,” said Badi.

“Considering Fortune’s number nine is the top scorer in the league, the respect was there coming into the game, but in our den here at Cambridge we believed that possessing more would be easier. We lost in the second half and that is why it has ended in a draw, but we are still pushing. Next weekend we play at home again and we believe we are going to win.”

The result leaves both sides with work to do as the league edges closer to its conclusion, with every point proving crucial in the standings.