Newly promoted sides Green Commandoes and Coast Stima played out a 1-1 draw in the final FKF National Super League round 1 match played on Monday, February 12, 2018, at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.
The hosts dominated proceedings early in the match, but could not find a way past an organized Coast Stima defense. The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Upon resumption, Green Commandoes survived a scare when Coast Stima forward Muhiddin Muhiddin’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Green Commandoes would then punish Stima less than 10 minutes later when Henry Atola received a through-pass, rounded up the goalkeeper before calmly slotting into an empty net.
Green Commandoes starting XI in the match against Coast Stima at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega
As the match seemed to be heading Green Commandoes way, Stima won a free kick just outside the box, with five minutes left on the clock.
Stima goal
Substitute Collins Kombo stood up to the task, sending a rather tame effort that the hosts’ goalkeeper Seif Mwinyi somehow failed to handle, parrying it into his own net.
Green Commandoes coach Brenden Mwinamo was disappointed that his team could not hold on but expressed optimism that the schoolboys are up to the task.
“We conceded a very easy goal very late in the match, but that is the nature of football. We will go back and try to correct our mistakes,” said the Green Commandoes coach.
Competition
Coast Stima tactician Kinero Swaleh, on his part, noted that the NSL is quite physical, as compared to the Division One League, but further exuded confidence in his team ahead of this new challenge.
Coast Stima Starting XI in their match against Green Commandoes at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega
“Our opponents were quite physical, and we are also set to travel a lot as opposed to last season. But my boys are ready to compete at this level,” said the coach.
Stima will next face Kisumu All-Stars in Mombasa on Saturday, February 17, 2018, while Green Commandoes will be up against Nairobi Stima at the Karuturi Ground on the same day.