In a bid to change the fortunes after weeks of frustrating results, the coach tweaked his starting line-up starting with Captain Eric Juma at right back and also giving Henry Juma a rare start in the midfield. The formation was also changed to a 4-4-2 with Abege and Kapaito hunting for the goals upfront.

This seemed to work as the boys dominated play for the better part of first half with Mazembe giving menacing runs and Abuya finding spaces between the lines. The best chance came in the 18^th minute when Erick Kapaito beat and offside trap and then beat the goalkeeper with a well taken shot but was denied by the upright. Henry Juma would test the keeper from 25 yards but his shot lacked the power. A few minutes to half time, Juma brought in a delicious cross from a set piece that was well headed by Tom Teka but it went just inches wide.