Sharks Thump Solar7 In CAF Confederation Cup First Leg

NAIROBI, Kenya-  SportPesa Shield champions,Kariobangi Sharks FC, started off their 2018/2019 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup preliminary round campaigns with a massive 6-1 victory against Arta Solar7 FC of Djibouti at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi on Tuesday evening.

Sharks opened the scoresheet through Duke Abuya who converted an Harrison Mwenda right wing pass to make it 1-0  in the second minute.

Sydney Lokale took the tally to 2-0 in the 11th before Solar7 gifted the hosts with an own goal in the 15th  when Nixon Omondi’s header was deflected into the net to stretch the scores to 3-0.Patillah Omotto, who had great command in the midfield, was on target for Sharks  in the 40th to make it 4-0.

Solar7 were awarded a penalty two minutes later when Thomas Omenda brought down their offensive striker,Komenan N’da Konan, inside the box.Konan wasted no chance with his conversion  to reduce the deficit to 4-1 before the breather.

Sharks  made several changes on resumption and this bore fruit in the 74th when Ugandan forward, George Abege, tapped in an Abuya’s right cross to stretch their lead to 5-1.

Fidel Origa replaced Abege at the front.Origa went ahead to wrap up the  scoring spree with a screamer in the 91st to  give his side a 6-1 win.

Sharks, who were making their debut in the continental showpiece, showed  great fluidity in the defence, midfield and attack with short crisp passes.

The victory gives Sharks  great advantage over the opponents ahead of return leg in Carta, Djibouti, on December 4  where the aggregate winner will proceed to face Ghana’s Asante Kotoko  FC in the next round.

Kotoko advanced  to the CAF Confederation Cup next round without breaking a sweat after CAF penalised Cameroonian side Eding Sport FC after the latter failed to submit its representation in due time to the continental body.

"Matches #37&38 are canceled because the deadline for FECAFOOT to confirm the engagement of second rep. for Total CAF Confederation Cup has elapsed. Asante Kotoko is therefore qualified to the 1/16th round," CAF posted on Twitter handle last Saturday.

Kariobangi Sharks Starting XI

16. Gad Mathews, 2. Tom Teka, 6, Geofrey Shiveka, 4. Michael Bodo, 3. Nickson Omondi, 8. Patillah Omotto, 10. Duke Abuya, 9. George Abege, 21. James Mazembe, 7. Harrison Mwendwa, 19. Sidney Lokale

Substitutes

30. Brian Bwire, 11. Fidel Origa, 23. Moses Mwangi, 24. Henry Juma, 15. John Kuol, 15. John Otieno, 12. Vincent Wasambo.