Mombasa Stars Fall Again in NSL Clash with Naibois
In what seems to be now a routine, Nairobi United alias `naibois` have beaten Mombasa Stars in their backyard. The hosts lost 2-1 in high tension match at Serani Sports ground in the FKF national super league game week one.
Both teams came out of the gate energised with every move marked by aggression and purpose. The opening moments of the match sent a wave of excitement and anxiety through both fan bases. For Mombasa Stars fans it was disappointment, while for naibos’ fans it was elation. This was courtesy of the match’s first goal scored by Duncan Omalla.
This key moment of the game came in the 1st minute of the match. Adams Nyambane played a one-two pass with Majaliwa Charo who made a good progressive pass that left the center back duo of Adrian Gondi and Eddy Oloo flat footed. Duncan Odhiambo’s pace was key, allowing him to have a well taken low shot into the left side of the net.
As Nairobi fans were celebrating, Mombasa's captain Adrian Gondi , was already having a stern conversation with his team mates.
The first 10 minutes for the Mombasa side continued to be tough. Nairobi United`s trio of Duncan Omalla, Adams Nyambane and Majaliwa Charo gave the Mombasa Stars defense a tough time. However, as the end of first quarter drew closer, the hosts picked some momentum and had a number of promising attacks. They pushed forward aggressively in their search for an equaliser.
Said Abdulrahman, in his debut, was giving Jim Ouma on the left wing some trouble. In one instance, after receiving a pass from Ghaib Ali, Abdulrahman missed a clear chance to put things level. A minute later, another golden chance came in and Abdulrahman played a pass to Ali “ Malo” who slotted the ball into the near post. This led to the first half ending 1-1.
After the break both teams came with energy to win the game with Mombasa Stars having more ball possession earlier on. This did not last as gradually, Nairobi United regained their rhythm and found the back of the net in the 56th minute through Duncan Omalla.
The move started with a throw-in from Hakim Tsuma to Frank Ouya, who quickly fed the ball to Elson Wangamati. With a precise pass, Wangamatii setup Duncan Omalla who calmly finished with a well-placed shot.
Missed Chances and Impactful Subs Fall Short
Mombasa Star made tactical adjustments which improved their overall performance. Coach Hussein's substitutions, bringing Masudi and Okuse in, had an immediate impact and added fresh energy and urgency to the team’s play. In the final quarter of the match, Mombasa Stars piled on the pressure, creating several scoring opportunities.
While their attack looked increasingly dangerous as a result, they couldn't break through the opposition goal. The Naibois held firm, defending their lead with resilience and skill.
Duncan Omalla was the standout player of the match, causing constant trouble for the Mombasa Stars' defense throughout the match. His relentless pressure and skill on the ball made it difficult for the defenders to contain him. In the end, his hard work paid off as he found the back of the net twice, securing a well-deserved brace and playing.
Key stats
- Mombasa Stars at home have lost to Nairobi United in two consecutive seasons
- Mombasa Stars had a ball possession of 61% while Nairobi United 39%
- However, Nairobi United had more goal attempts with 9 while hosts had 6
