Yesterday, Kariobangi made a flying start to their maiden CAF CC appearance with 6-1 mauling of a disoriented Arta Solar from Djibouti at the MISC Kasarani.
The absence of skipper Erick Juma, Erick Kapaito and midfielder Sven Yidah counted for nothing as the rampant Sharks ran riot to announce their arrival on the continental stage in style in their first appearance. Duke Abuya put Sharks ahead barely two minutes into the game after burying a long pass from Patillah Omoto. Sydney Simale made it two in the seventh minute after weaving past two defenders and the shot stopper past Abdillahi Idriss to slot the ball past an empty net.
The host proofed to be too good for the visitors and in the end, the results was an emphatic 6-1 thrashing, putting them one foot into the second round.
But it didn’t escape Kenyans on the way local teams have been performing at the Kasarani Stadium in recent times.
The new look, ultramodern facility which was opened in May after undergoing a face lift has hosted several high profile matches, the most notable being Harambee Stars’ sweet 1-0 win over Ghana in Ghana.
The match kick started our journey to the AFCON Finals in Cameroon next year. Our most important win however, was when the team thrashed visiting Ethiopia 3-0 at the same venue in October.
Having held our visitors to a scoreless draw three days earlier, we needed a win to secure a place at the AFCON finals for the first time since 2004.
GOR SHOULD CONTINUE WITH KENYANS’ WINNING TREND
It started with Harambee Stars silencing giants Ghana 1-0, thrashing Ethiopia 3-0. U23 hammering Mauritius 8-1, Kariobangi Sharks whipped Djiboutians 6-1. Gor must maintain Kenya’s tempo today 28/11/18 against Malawians at Kasarani. pic.twitter.com/ytuYUeshsN— Ministry Of Sports, Culture And Heritage (@moscakenya) November 28, 2018
Buoyed by a full stadium, the boys didn’t disappoint. Lanky striker Michael Olunga scored a spectacular goal to start the party. Eric Johanna and captain Victor Wanyama were also on the score sheet.
But it seems this was just a sign of greater things to come for the Kenyan teams at Kasarani. Two weeks ago, the Kenya under 23 side thrashed visiting Mauritius side 5-0 in an Olympic qualifier.
Kariobangi Sharks have set the bar even higher with the 6-1 mauling of Arta Solar. These are good times for Kenyan football fans. We have suffered as we watched our teams being beaten at our own backyard.
Today, Gor faces Malawi’s Nyasa Bullets in a CAF Champions League Qualifier at the same venue, will the trend continue?