A clinical display and a late wonder-goal saw Nairobi United complete the SportPesa league double over Shabana FC with a resounding 3-0 victory at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday evening.
The result propels the Naibois to 38 points, moving them into seventh place on the log, while the defeat leaves the Glamour Boys stranded in fifth place with 43 points, missing a golden opportunity to reclaim a top-three spot.
The match started at a frantic pace, with Nairobi United’s Enock Machaka registering the first shot on target in the sixth minute with a stinging effort from distance.
Shabana responded at the quarter-hour mark when Austin Odongo rose highest to meet a cross, but his header flashed agonisingly wide.
The woodwork was rattled five minutes later when Nairobi United defender Lennox Ogutu spotted the Shabana keeper off his line and attempted a daring long-range lob that crashed against the crossbar.
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Nairobi United humble Shabana 3-0
Nairobi United finally broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Dancan Omalla, who has been a thorn in Shabana’s side all season, was the quickest to react to a loose ball in the penalty area, smashing it home to give the hosts the lead.
Shabana looked for an immediate response through Derrick Otieno, whose powerful left-footed drive forced a superb save from Nairobi United custodian Bernard Jairo.
Ten minutes before the interval, the Naibois doubled their advantage through a breathtaking team move. It started with a long, precise ball from keeper Jairo to Machaka, who exchanged passes with Michael Karamor.
Machaka then drove to the byline and delivered a perfect cutback for Karamor to slot home, ensuring the hosts headed into the break with a two-goal cushion.
Shabana introduced talisman Brian Michira at the restart to spark a comeback. The visitors almost found a way back when Derrick Otieno pounced on a half-clearance, but his thunderous strike whistled just over the bar.
Nairobi United nearly tripled their lead ten minutes into the half when Wangaya showcased brilliant footwork to wrong-foot his marker, only to see his curled effort drift wide of the upright.
The end-to-end action continued as Lesley Otieno’s blocked shot fell kindly for Omalla, whose snap-shot was expertly parried by Stephen Ochieng. At the other end, Michira had the best chance to halve the deficit from close range, but Jairo produced a point-blank save to keep his clean sheet intact.
In stoppage time, the match was settled by a moment of pure magic. After a slick exchange between Wangaya and Lesley, Mustafa Kizza spotted Ochieng slightly off his line and unleashed a sensational strike from the halfway line.
The ball soared through the sky before settling in the net for a Goal of the Season contender that put the final seal on a dominant performance from the Godfrey Solo Oduor Coached side.