Patilah Omoto’s first half strike secured a 1-0 win for Kariobangi Sharks over Kakamega Homeboyz in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match played at Utalii Stadium on Friday.
John Kuol was presented with the first opportunity just after the fourth minute, but the South Sudanese international fired his effort straight at Geofrey Oputi.
Eric Juma tried his luck from distance in the seven minute but the former skipper fired his effort wide of the target.
Sharks were on the front foot on the 12th minute with Omoto opening the scoring with a close-range strike into a gaping net after he intercepted a quick restart from Homeboyz custodian Oputi.
Stephen Opoku came close to giving Homeboyz an equalizer in the 29th minute but the forward fired just wide of the target from the edge of the box.
The visitors kept pushing for a goal but were restricted to long range strikes, Okoth David’s effort going high and wide in the 35th minute.
Sharks started the second half much like the first, with James Mazembe coming close in the 51st minute, the midfielder fired just wide from the edge of the area.
Homeboyz’ Francis Omondi tried his luck from distance in the 55th minute but Brian Bwire was equal to the task.
In the 67th minute Thomas Wainaina tried a shot from the six yard line, but he missed to the right.
Mazembe tried another shot in the 77th minute for Sharks but the effort from outside the area went just high.
Sharks were looking to extend their lead even further and Masaba played the one-two with Kapaito and fizzled an effort wide of the right-hand upright.
Homeboyz came out with a few attacks of their own in the closing ten minutes , but Etyang failed to put Oketch cross at the back post.
How they lined up:
Kariobangi Sharks: Brian Bwire, Geoffery Shiveka, Boniface Onyango, John Kuol, Patillah Omoto, Daglas Mokaya, James Mazembe, Fredrick Alushula, Eric Juma, Julius Masaba, Erick Kapaito
Kakamega Homeboyz: Geoffrey Oputi, Benjamin Oketch,Thomas Wainaina, Sylvester Owino, George Odiwuor, Francis Omondi, Ali Bhai, Stephen Etyang, Christopher Masinza, Stephen Opoku, David Okoth
