Darajani Gogo hold wasteful Black Stars as Naivas lick Mara Sugar

©Darajani Gogo

NSL Darajani Gogo hold wasteful Black Stars as Naivas lick Mara Sugar

Festus Chuma 21:09 - 13.01.2024

Darajani Gogo and Kibera Black Stars clashed in a tactical match as Naivas FC secured a win against Mara Sugar.

Darajani Gogo and Kibera Black Stars played to a predictable goalless draw in their National Super League (NSL) match played at M-Pesa Foundation Grounds on Saturday.

In a match that only really came to life in the second half, both sides missed several open chances but a sharing of the spoils was a fair reflection of a tactical battle in which neither really gained the ascendancy. 

Black Stars enjoyed the majority of possession through the first half, but Gogo’s defence held them at arm’s length quite comfortably. 

The team in black and white called Innocent Lihasi into notable action only twice, both long-range efforts from Dan Odhiambo and Oluoch which were well saved by the Gogo goalkeeper.

Mumo also had an opening late in the half after a clever back-heel from the effusive Diarra, but the veteran midfielder fired straight into the side netting from a tight angle.

Gogo's best chance came from a set piece in the 39th minute, as Joseph Masinde picked out Joseph Amunike whose headed effort rebounded off Byron's left-hand post.

Black Stars missed the opener in the second half after Donald Opiyo picked out the run of John Njoroge with a great ball over the defence and the attacking midfielder rattled the crossbar with an acrobatic volley.

That chance brought about a new energy to the game, with both teams suddenly prepared to commit more men forward in attack. 

Shortly thereafter Gogo had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was correctly ruled out as Amunike was both offside and used his hand to knock the ball home.

That proved to be the last real highlight in attack, as both teams saw out the remainder of the game to share the points.

Elsewhere, Naivas FC maintained their spot on the top of the standings after beating Mara Sugar 3-2 in a match played at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Robert Ponda, Eliud Lokuwam, and new signing Sammy Ggolola scored for Naivas while Philemon Nyakwaka and Frederick Ngiela found the back of the net for Mara Sugar. 

At the Ruaraka Grounds, Mathare United beat Silibwet 2-0, with Parmenas Ochola and Daniel Ange scoring in each half.

 The result saw Mathare United reduce the gap between them and top-placed Naivas to a goal difference of six. 

In Mumias, Mulembe United claimed a well-deserved 2-0 win over Migori Youth, while at Mbaraki Sports Grounds, Mombasa Stars beat Dumba Patriots 1-0. 

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