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Nairobi United dismantled Gusii based Shabana FC 3_0 in a highly entertaining Sportpesa League match played at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. The win ensured Naibois move upto seventh on the log, bringing to an end their recent poor run of form that had seen them winless in their last four Sportpesa League matches.
Nairobi United started the match in their usual 4,3,3 formation making three changes to the team that drew 1_1 with Mara Sugar in their last league encounter. Yusuf Mainge and Lennox Ogutu came back to the starting eleven replacing David Wafula and Kepha Wanjala respectively at the back, while Brian Mzee came back to anchor the midfield replacing Brian Magare.
The Naibois showed intent from the first whistle harrying and pressing the Shabana F.C players allover the pitch creating turn overs in possession forcing an early advantage.
Duncan Omalla opened the scoring in the 27th minute after pressing Shabana F.C defender Brian Bett high up the pitch forcing a turn over in possession before finishing with aplomb. The attacker has now scored three goals in his last two appearances against the Gusii based side.
The second goal was a work of beauty, Bernard Jairo launched the ball forward before Enock Machaka flicked it to Karamor, the Nigerian striker then played a neat one two with the overlapping Machaka who produced a brilliant cut back for Karamor to score finishing off a devastating move in the 37th minute.
The teams went into the break with Naibois 2_0 ahead forcing the Shabana F.C technical bench into early substitutions, Papa Dialo and Keith Imbali came off for Brian Michira and Derrick Otieno at the start of the second half.
Despite the early changes Nairobi United still maintained momentum creating several clear cut chances only to be denied by the outstanding Stephen Ochieng in the Shabana F.C goalpost.
In the 77th minute, Nairobi United head coach Geoffrey Oduor made his first substitution bringing on Shami Mwinyi for Duncan Omalla before bringing on Mustapha Kizza for the brilliant Micheal Karamor in the 86th minute.
In added time Mustapha Kizza received the ball from Benard Jairo after a quick restart, spotting the goalkeeper off his line the Ugandan unleashed a sensational strike from his own half producing a goal of the season contender to make it 3_0 and put the game to bed.
The Naibois now shift focus to the Mozzart Cup where they are scheduled to play Poster Rangers in the last sixteen round on Sunday as they aim to defend the cup.
