Nandi Hills Bodaboda FC came from behind to defeat Golden Knights FC 2-1 in their first FKF Nandi County League match held at Nandi Hills Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The away team, Golden Knights FC started the match stronger than their opponents and took the lead in the 27th minute after Ronald Kipkoech collected the ball behind the defense and went on a quick shot on the volley to deny Bodaboda goalkeeper, Japheth Odera a chance to catch up with the ball.
The hosts were strangely subdued in the opening half and almost conceded another goal through a free-kick that was curled from the edge of the box three minutes before the end of the first half but Odera somehow managed to deal with it.
In the second half, Bodaboda FC coach Benson Mwinamo made a change and brought in Mukaba Michwaro to aid in the weak midfield.
Bodaboda were a rejuvenated side after the break. Swiftly they were stringing passes together with deft footwork and put Golden Knights on the back foot.
The home team had a glorious chance to restore parity in the 50th minute when the substitute Michwaro made the defenders twist and turn inside the box but Knights FC goalkeeper positioned himself well to save the moment.
The hosts kept the pressure on with a series of raids which turned to success after Richard Alex teed up Geoffrey Malongo to scoring the equalizer at the 70th minute.
The resounding applause of the home fans was met with a lot of enthusiasm and zeal by the Bodaboda players as they tried their best to get back on the scoresheet.
Chris Kibagendi, Knights FC midfielder should have made the game safe for them with ten minutes to go when he hit the ball off the woodwork from an acute angle.
Just at the stroke of stoppage time, Kevin Injilo, Bodaboda FC defender invited a good cross to locate Evans Ochango who had positioned himself well inside the box to launch a powerful header to the net leaving the goalkeeper with no chance of dealing with the ball.
Mwinamo was extremely blissful for the late comeback and commended his boys for the good job done, however he also said they needed to resume back to training as they prepare for the next matches.
“We knew that this would be a difficult game since our rivals are good in defending, but I have to congratulate my boys for the good game and the unexpected comeback. We need to get back in action and set our minds for the next games. With the great scarcity of balls during training, my main dream is that we get more balls to ease the training.”
Golden Knights FC Head Coach Evans Kipchichir said that despite the game setback, they pulled up a good fight and really gave them a difficult time in the first half.
“I really enjoyed the game, we tried hard and we were already safe by the first half. We were just unlucky to lose the game and concede a late goal. The team has a lot of work to do in preparation for the next matches,” he said.
By Manasseh Kariuki
