By Ibrahim Adolwa

Nzoia Sugar FC lost an opportunity to reduce the gap against the top two teams following their 1-0 defeat to Kariobangi Sharks in a match played on Saturday 27th May 2023 at Sudi stadium.
In a cagey match in which scoring chances were few and far between, the hosts fashioned the first clear cut chance with Hassan Beja weaving past the Sharks’ defenders and teeing up Mohammed Barisa who had started upfront in place of Yassin Sije. Unfortunately, Barisa’s shot went agonizingly wide.
In the 12th minute, Nzoia almost took the lead. Patient build up from the back by Nzoia resulted to Beja once again combining with Barisa. The latter’s shot on goal was however saved by Sharks’ keeper Gideon Okello.
The visitors finally crafted their first chance in the 19th minute, when Tyson Otieno’s left footed delivery headed inches wide by Leonlevitt Otieno with Humphrey Katasi seemingly well beaten.
In the 34th minute, Randy Bakari’s costly error almost gifted Tyson Otieno and Sharks the first goal. However, the attacker blasted it over the bar with only Katasi to beat.
A further glorious chance landed on Barisa on the stroke of half time, who scrambled for the ball while on the ground, finally setting up Leonard Kasembeli. His shot from the edge of the area hit the crossbar.
In the second half Nzoia’s gaffer Salim Babu made a couple of changes where James Kibande and Mohammed Barisa made way for Steve Otieno and Joseph Mwangi.
However, the visitors took the lead on the hour mark, with Keith Imbali slotting the ball home past Humphrey Katasi.
Five minutes later, the hosts had the ball at the back of the net through Vincent Mahiga. However, he was flagged to have been offside. A further few chances from Mwangi could not change the score line with Sharks holding on to grab the three points leaving Nzoia FC with a painful loss of a match at home. The first of its kind this season.
Nzoia Sugar travels to Nairobi to take on City Stars in the next round of fixture as the battle for the League title continues in earnest.