Kenya Football .:. Story - Ruto On Top Form As Ncs Secure Moral Boosting Draw

Ruto On Top Form As NCS Secure Moral Boosting Draw

A back-to-basics away performances from NCS saw the Stars survive a tricky away visit to Sony Sugar with a clean sheet and a point for their efforts, largely through the agility of their goalkeeper, Joseph Ruto. The Stars found an imposing atmosphere waiting for them at the Green Stadium and it was the home side who began the strongest and the opening five minutes suggested that Sony Sugar had every intention of taking the game to NCS.

Yet, despite the early menace, it would be the Stars who fashioned the first clear opportunity. Direct running down the left and then an excellent
cross from Fred Okollo saw the ball find its way to Oscar Mbugua, but the NCS playmaker was unable to make the chance count and his header went harmlessly over the bar with the game only ten minutes old.

A clearly pumped up Okello was again in the thick of things two minutes later as a jinking, fleet footed run saw him glide past three Sony Sugar defenders only to see his shot smartly saved by the Sony Sugar goalkeeper, Evans Omondi.

Rudely awaked, Sony Sugar would not allow this brief domination to continue and spent the rest of the half making life as uncomfortable as they could for the visitors, enjoying a prolonged spell of possession.

Indeed by the time the half-time whistle went, the Stars could consider themselves saved by the bell as an increasingly confident Sony Sugar, led by Steve Biko dictating play from midfield, eithier squandered chances or saw them saved by Ruto.

Unfortunately for City Stars, rather than being tired out by their hard work in the first half, Sony Sugar returned after the break and merely stepped up one gear further, spending the opening exchanges peppering the NCS goal with shots.

The pick of these was from Fredrick Onyango, who had already tested Ruto from range in the first half, but found the two-time KPL winner more than
happy to demonstrate his pedigree once more with another athletic save just after half time.

Yet NCS would not be outdone and weathered the storm before trying to seize the advantage from their hosts through well-timed counter attacks and on 63 minutes, an unchallenged Justus Basweti snuck down the right hand side of Sony Sugar’s half. Spotting the run of the substitute Abraham Attache, the City Stars veteran picked out the Nigerian, only for the winger to miscue his header and let Omondi and his defenders off the hook.

The 2006 KPL champions, having had their opponents on the ropes but failing to make them pay, came forward for a final surge of possession but were
once more kept out by Ruto, who continued to show his class.

Dramatically, it would be the final kick of the game that defined the contest as Biko, sensing his chance to grab the headlines, unleashed a rocket of a shot from outside the area only for Ruto to claw the ball away at full stretch.

This would be the final act of a tense game and the Stars can savour a hard fought point as they make the long trip back to Nairobi. Though it was a backs-to-the-wall defensive performance, the lion’s share of credit must go to Ruto and Coach Odhiambo will be hoping for the NCS custodian to turn in more eye-catching displays as the season continues.

Sony Sugar - 21. Evans Omondi: 10. Kevin Oluoch 20. Frederick Onyango, 28. Kayombo Dodo (9. Mohamed Yusuf, 46’), 6. Jean Koffi, 2. David Otieno, 3. Daniel Odhiambo, 12. Steve Biko, 13. Silas Aluvisia, 25.Jack Omondi (11. Dennis Onkangi, 44’/15. Moses Arita, 65’), 7. Chamberi Marwa

Nairobi City Stars - 1. Joseph Ruto: 10. Justus Basweti, 22. Simon Juma, 18. Arthur Museve (21. John Amboko, 52’), 19. Donald Mosoti, 5. Kelvin
Nyongesa, 11. Oscar Mbugua (8. Abraham Attache, 37’), 24. Collins Ochieng’ 20. David King’atua (13. Levy Mwaka), 4. Fred Okello, 17. David
Gateri