Derby ends in a barren draw

Kuks and Anthony Ng'ang'a strategizing on a set piece.

AllStars Line Up:

E.Omondi
T.Siwa, W.Odunga, P.Kihungi, L.Oyuga
G.Maina, M.Kamau, A.Ng'ang'a
Kuks, B.Mandela, T.Achesa

Subs:
S.Kamidi, D.Sikhai, S.Akiya, P.Ng'ang'a, J.Mwangi, A.Fadhil, D.Kamau

Substitutions:

- Stanlaus Akiya for Lambert Oyuga
- Daniel Kamau for Kuks Andati
- Adam Fadhil for Titus Achesa

The Nakuru Athletic Club grounds today witnessed the first leg of the Division One - Zone B group 1 Nakuru derby, in a just concluded showdown that kicked off at 1pm.

AllStars were playing hosts to their local derby rivals Comply FC, as the home team went into the match looking to get a fourth consecutive home win. But unfortunately that was not the case, as Comply played defensive throughout the match that also saw lady luck swing the home team's opposite way.

The match had a slow start, with much of the concentration entirely at the midfield area, where both teams had numbers as they were both looking to win dominance over that region. For a team that went into the pitch with a defensive strategy in mind, Comply FC failed to comply to their opponent's early wave of attacks, thus allowing the AllStars midfield of Michael Kamau, Geoffrey 'Maish' Maina and Kuks Andati to overshadow them.

Mandela trying to go round the Comply goalie after being played through.

Mandela had the first opportunity of the match when he failed to connect to Oyuga's out-swinging cross. Maish then shot wide from outside the box, and Achesa's shot from an indirect free kick was well blocked by a Comply defender. The AllStars fullbacks also did well in overlapping as they stepped up to try and help out the forwards, who looked outnumbered for most of the half.

Oyuga out-muscles his opponent for the ball.

Midway through the half, AllStars were awarded a free kick when Mandela was brought down on the edge of the eighteen yard area. The resulting kick went straight into the safe pair of gloves of the Comply goalie, after Achesa had hit the ball well over the wall, but unfortunately it lacked enough power to it.

The home team began the second half looking very promising and ambitious. There were brilliant surging runs to the flanks from Mandela, which in turn gave room for Kuks and Anthony Ng'ang'a 'Ng'aso' as the AllStars played inside their opponent's half for most of the second period. AllStars almost grabbed the opening goal through Achesa, who's shot was blocked by the defender, after he had been fed by Maish. The AllStars midfielder had gone round the goalie just before he set up Achesa. Maish would later have a go himself with a shot that went wide off the bar.

Minutes later, the crowd roared in celebrations as Mandela looked to have finally broken the deadlock, only for him to see a Comply defender clear the ball off the line. Mandela had made a brilliant run, which was read well by Michael Kamau as he played a long ball to the forward. Mande then headed the ball straight at goal over the advancing goalie, then hit the ball again with his upper thigh, just before it was cleared off on its way into the net.

Daniel Kamau racing for the ball during the match.

Lambert Oyuga was taken off for Stanlaus Akiya, as the home side looked to add more depth to their attack. Daniel Kamau 'Mau KRA' was also introduced for Kuks Andati, who looked pretty tired and worn out. Mau KRA's introduction almost payed dividends when the big center forward collected the  ball from the midfield, then made his way through the Comply defense, before hitting a left footed shot that the goalie parred away. Nga'so also had only himself to blame after he hit the ball wide from inside the box, after he had successfully beaten a defender and set himself clear in front of the target.

Apart from the hard luck in front of goal, AllStars suffered another huge blow as their best player on the field, Titus Achesa, was carried off the field following a very nasty challenge, that left him limping from a bandaged knee. He was substituted by Adam Fadhil, and the latter hit a cross straight at the goalie just moments after his introduction. Ng'aso hit a curling shot wide, before Ade missed to score from the six yard box. Akiya had set up Ade with a square pass after dribbling his way from the left wing into the Comply box.

Achesa lies down injured as he is being attended to by the team's physios.

Knowing that they had all but tried in vain to put the ball into the net, the home side held their faces down after the referee blew the final whistle.

Trio set to miss derby

Last week's AllStars goalscorer Sebastian Muchera running past a GFC defender during a previous league match. Muchera is set to miss tomorrow's derby through injury.

The Top Fry AllStars will tomorrow (Sunday 19th May) miss the services of three of their key players when they will be hosting their fiercest local rivals Comply FC, for a Division One - Zone B group 1 derby tie, that is set to be staged at the Nakuru Athletic Club.

Having picked up a hip injury almost immediately after scoring his goal last week against Timsales FC, Sebastian Muchera has not trained ever since, and has been ruled out of Sunday's showdown. The other two who are definitely out of that match are Kizito 'Sky' Sikhai, who also picked up a calf injury during the Timsales match, and Kennedy 'Daddy' Owino who suffered a concussion during one of the team's sessions in the build up to last week's match.

Lying fourth on the league table, AllStars have so far managed to collect a total of 13 points from 6 matches, 6 points ahead of their next opponents who lie 8th on the table with 7 points from 6 matches.

Having already beaten West Kenya Sugar, Zoo Kericho, and Timsales FC, AllStars will be coming  into this match looking to extend their 100% home record, by this match their fourth successive home win in the league this season,  and at the expense of Comply, a team they share a rivalry with.

The AllStars have proved to be a very hard nut to crack at their own backyard this season, by having so far managed to score 5 goals in 4 home matches, and are yet to concede any goal in those four matches.

With that in mind, breaking apart the AllStars team will surely be a daunting task for a team of Comply's standards, who have not won themselves any point away from their home, and have lost both the two away matches they have so far contested in. Comply have so far scored 6 goals and have conceded 8.

Arthur 'Kings' Weyula heads in his first goal during last season's derby match against Comply.

Last season the AllStars managed to beat Comply by two goals to one. Both of AllStars' goals were scored by Arthur Weyula, with both goals coming from corner kicks. Carlos pulled one back for Comply to set up a pulsating final minutes of the match. AllStars come into this match off the backdrop of a 1-0 victory they secured against a resilient Timsales FC, while Comply will be hoping to bounce back from a 2-0 loss they suffered at the hands of GFC 105 last week. Both of those matches were played at the same venue; the Afraha Stadium, and were both televised live on DSTV', through their SuperSport 9 East channel.

Apart from Muchera, Sky and Daddy, the rest of the AllStars squad is fully fit and up for selection to this match. The match will kick off at 1pm.

AllStars ‘fry’ Timsales through Muchera’s lone goal

Sebastian Muchera smiling as he watches the ball go into the net, after lobbing it over the Timslaes goalie.

AllStars Line Up:

E.Omondi
T.Siwa, W.Odunga, K.Sikhai, S.Akiya
M.Kamau, G.Maina
A.Ng'ang'a, B.Mandela, T.Achesa
S.Muchera

Subs:
S.Kamidi, P.Kihungi, D.Sikhai, P.Ng'ang'a, E.Mwaniki, Kuks, D.Kamau

Goal:

0-1 - Sebastian Muchera - 38th min

Subs:

- Erastus Mwaniki for Sebastian Muchera
- Peter Ng'ang'a for Erastus Mwaniki
- Dennis Sikhai for Anthony Ng'ang'a

The Top Fry AllStars bounced back to winning ways by securing a 1-0 win over Timsales FC, in a Division One - Zone B group 1 league match, that was staged at the Afraha Stadium.

The 2pm match kicked off to a dull start, as both teams played each other cautiously, as they looked to settle down. The midfield area in particular was a no-mans-land, with both teams squaring each other out for dominance of that area. The game started being much exciting as the game approached the end of the first ten minutes, with the first chance of the match falling to Sebastian Muchera, who saw his 35-yards shot from a free kick parred out by the goalie. Anthony Ng'ang'a 'Ng'aso' then blasted a shot way wide off the target, after he was played through by Muchera. Brian Mandela also missed a good goal scoring opportunity when he rushed his effort and hit a poor left-footed shot wide off the Timsales goal.

Muchera almost gave the hosts the lead in the 24th minute, but his header from an Anthony Ng’ang’a corner was too weak, and the Timsales keeper made a comfortable save.

Titus Achesa dribbles the ball past a Timsales defender.

Looking very dangerous on the flanks, Titus Achesa almost opened the score sheet with a powerful right-footed shot. The player danced his way into the Timsales box by dribbling the ball past two Timsales defenders, and the goalkeeper punched his shot, before producing another save after Achesa made another attempt at goal from the rebound.

The visitors rarely made any attempts at the AllStars goal, except a 33rd minute bicycle kick from their skipper Hezron Kauci, which went slightly over the bar. Timsales' lack off attacking play allowed the AllStars fullbacks the spaces and opportunities to overlap. Stanlaus Akiya in particular did a lot of overlapping on the left wing, and got himself involved in a number of AllStars' attacks. Ng'aso had another opportunity at goal when he was found by Akiya's cross, but he hit the ball almost back at his deliverer when he attempted to hit the ball on the volley.

Akiya's efforts would soon be awarded, when he got involved in the build up to Muchera's 38th minute goal. The fullback delivered a dangerous cross into the Timsales box finding Mandela, who headed it down to Muchera, and the latter calmly controlled the ball, and lobbed it over the advancing goalie from the six yard box - to make it 1-0 for the AllStars.

The players celebrating Muchera's goal.

Only three minutes after his goal, Muchera limped off the pitch injured and was replaced by Erastus Bobby Mwaniki.

AllStars began the second half by knocking the ball around their opponents, as they looked for spaces to play through the ball to their forwards. On the other hand, Timsales did pressure the ball a lot, and denied their opponents the space to play. Mandela hit a shot from the edge of the area as AllStars looked to add to the one-goal tally.

Stanlaus Akiya in action during the match.

Timsales looked the more hungrier side in the final quarter of the game, with a series of attacks - mostly coming from counters, with AllStars keeper Evans 'Jadu' Omondi saving most of them. Akiya could have also gone ito the score sheet when he fired a shot from the edge of the eighteen yard area.

Bobby - who looked dull since his introduction - was shortly after substituted for Peter Ng'ang'a, and Ng'aso also made way for Dennis Sikhai as the match was heading into stoppage time.

AllStars are now placed second in the league with 13 ponts from 6 matches, just one point off the leaders.

AllStars set to play Timsales

Kuks celebrating his goal against Timsales FC.

The AllStars senior team will be playing their first match under their new brand ‘Top Fry AllStars’, in a Division One – Zone B group 1 league match against Timsales FC, a match that will also be televised live on DSTV’s SuperSport 9 East channel.

The last time these two teams met, it was the AllStars who emerged the convincing winners, after they beat their visitors by two goals to nothing. Kuks Andati opened the score sheet in the 54^th minute of that match with a powerful shot from the edge of the 18-yard area, and on the 76^th minute, Muchera doubled his team’s lead with a wonderful bicycle kick.

Lying fourth on the league table, the AllStars have collected 10 points from 5 matches, just two points shy off their next opponents, who lie next to them on the 12-team log, with 8 points from 5 matches. Both teams look to be at par as far as their might in front of the opponents goal is concerned, as they both have netted six times so far in the season, although the AllStars have a slight goal difference of just one goal over Timsales.

The AllStars have won both of the two matches they have played at home and they will be hoping to keep that momentum going when they host Timsales tomorrow afternoon. Timsales have lost only one match out of the three they have played away from home, and that was their league opener, where they lost by a single goal to Zoo Kericho. The other two have been 1-1 draws away to MumCop FC, and Kolongolo FC respectively.

Both of these teams come off the backdrop of 1-1 draws they both earned away at Kolongolo FC, and ADC Swan Orchards, and that fact might be a strong urge for these sides to make this a match that is already promising to be full off end-to-end action.

Brian Mandela and Kuks Andati are up for selection for this tie, as they make their come-backs from suspension and an ankle injury respectively.

The match will be played at the Afraha Stadium, and will kick off at exactly 2pm.

Sponsorship deal signed and sealed

Menengai Oil Refineries Limited managing director, Onkar Sing Rai, shakes hand with CEO Robert Muthomi, during the presentation of the dummy cheque.

The Nakuru AllStars has today secured a six million sponsorship deal with Menengai Oil Refineries Limited, through their Top Fry franchise, a deal that will run for three consecutive years.

The six million Kenya shillings dummy cheque was presented to the AllStars CEO Robert Muthomi, who was also accompanied by head coach Peter Okidi, together with team captains Evans Omondi, and Anthony Ng'ang'a, during a ceremony held at the Oyster Shell resort in the Nakuru Milimani area, where the two partners involved announced their partnership.

AllStars CEO Robert Muthomi speaking to the press during the launch of the sponsorship deal.

Speaking during the launch, the CEO said that they were very pleased to have agreed on a sponsorship deal with Menengai. "We are very pleased to be partnering with a very big name in the cooperate world." said the CEO. He went on to reiterate that Menengai Oil's involvement in other sponsorship deals with other sports outfits both in the town and around the country as one of the main reasons as to why the AllStars wanted to get into a deal with the company. "We are happy to have joined the family of sport clubs under the umbrella of the Top Fry brand."

The six million shillings is to be sub-divided into three years of two million shillings per year, with other incentives coming in the form of kits, training and playing facilities, and win bonuses, although a figure has not been agreed on that, and that decision will entirely be the sponsor's. The deal will also see the Nakuru AllStars change its name to the 'Top Fry AllStars', with the naming rights being part of the deal.

Speaking on behalf of the Menengai Oil Refineries Limited, Onkar Singh Rai, the company's managing director, said he was "...very proud to be associated with the AllStars, the oldest team in Kenya, ...now under the new flagship the Top Fry AllStars." Mr. Onkar said that one of the main reasons as to why he agreed to work with the AllStars is the charity work and the development of the youth the AllStars club has so far been involving itself with. "I find that very inspiring for such a small club...to try and take a hundred and seventy boys and have them play football, than sitting in the streets."

Coach Okidi during the launch.

Coach Okidi and the team's assistant captain Anthony Ng'ang'a, stated their joy at the deal. They fully thanked the Menengai Oil company and especially their management for agreeing to partner with the AllStars. They termed the deal as one that couldn't have come at a better time. They both pledged that they will not let down their sponsor and all their loyal fans.

AllStars assistant captain, Anthony Ng'ang'a.

The CEO looks forward to having Menengai Oil on board, in the quest to secure Premier league promotion, as Mr. Onkar stated that as one of the partnership's major goals. "We are looking forward to having a great season under this sponsorship, and we are looking forward to make our sponsors, our fans, and the Nakuru community proud of our achievements this season."