Kenya’s Kariobangi Sharks are one foot into the first round of CAF Confederation Cup following a 6-1 win over Djibouti’s Arta Solar 7 at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi.
Duke Abuya, Sydney Lokale, Nickson Omondi, Patilah Omotto, George Abege, Fidel Origa all scored for Sharks while Komenan Konan scored the consolation goal for Solar.
Sharks could have taken the lead as early as the first minute when Harrison Mwendwa played a sumptuous ball through for George Abege, who did well to round up Abdillahi Idriss but could only direct his shot onto the far right side.
Duke Abuya grabbed the lead for the home side at second attempt, from one-on-one situation with the keeper, after being put through by Patillah Omotto.
Sydney Lokale then doubled the lead in the fifth minute later to cap off a brilliantly worked team goal, which saw Omotto find Abege, who neatly flicked it on for the striker to slot home.
Nickson Omondi scored his first goal in Sharks colours at the half an hour mark before Patillah Omotto made it 4-0 for the continental debutants.
Solar pulled one back three minutes later when Omenda hacked down Konan who then stepped up to take the penalty and held his nerve to convert and put a mark to the scoreline heading to the break.
The second half was, however, a far less intense affair with Sharks seemingly keen to safeguard the status quo other than using more energy to search for more goals.
They could have added a fourth when Tom Teka broke through the Solar defence and rounded Dabe Said, but the full-back’s shot came off the near post.
Abege then made up for his earlier miss as he tapped home in the 62nd minute after Michael Bondo’s pass beat Moussa and Said.
The former Sony Sugar forward nearly completed his brace just seven minutes later, as Lokale beat the offside trap to set him up, but his well-timed finish went over the bar.
Second-half substitute Fred Origa then made it six in the dying moments of the match in what could be the easiest contest the youthful Kenyan team participated in this season.
Solar showed some signs of promise late on as Gad Mathews was called into action, but the second choice goal-minder had other ideas.
Other CAF Confederation Cup results:
Volcan Club 0-0 African Stars
Green Eagles 2 – 0 Young Buffaloes
Mtibwa Sugar 4- 0 Northern Dynamo
