The coach made wholesale changes to the team that faced Yanga two days ago with Patrick Ngunyi the only player to keep his place in the starting line-up.

Brian Opondo made his debut between the sticks while Daniel Sakari was also handed his debut at right back. Michael Bodoand Tom Teka partnered at centre-back while Bonface Onyango drafted at left back. Patila Omoto captained the team after returning from international duty partnering James Oudu and Masaba at the midfield with Ngunyi, Mazembe and Machika the front three.

The hosts took the lead via Vitalis Mayanga in the 21st minute after some good combination play by their forwards but the lead lasted for only 80 seconds as Masaba popped up to equalize from a James Mazembe pass. The game headed to the break all square.

The second half saw the team up the tempo. Nicolas Omondi introduction in particular brought impetus to the midfield but the hosts couldn’t yield to pressure.

The boys would rue their missed chances as the hosts took thelead once again through Serge in the 82nd minute and they held on to it to the end of the match.

The loss was the first one for the Sharks on Tanzanian soil but being a pre-season friendly plenty of positives will still be picked. One encouraging thing for the coach is that he has a large pool of players to choose from this season unlike in the past where the squad was being stretched due to a few absentees.

The boys will fly back to Nairobi 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.