The Fred Ambani-led charges came into the match as favourites but stumbled along the way to give the home team an advantage
Wazito FC have suffered a 2-1 loss to 10-man Zoo FC in a pre-season friendly game staged at Kericho Green Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Boniface Omondi scored the lone goal for the visitors with Collins Neto and Anami Derrick scoring for the tea-leaves farmers.
The Nairobi-based side have made numerous changes in the technical bench and playing unit in preparations for the 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League campaign.
In September 2019, Wazito defeated the Kericho team 2-0 on the same venue and went on to claim a 4-1 win when they met again on March 1, 2020. In the last four matches, Zoo had not won against Wazito; they had lost three times and drawn once.
It seemed the familiar story would repeat in favour of the visitors when new signing Kevin Kimani picked fellow new signing Boniface Omondi in a good area after just 19 minutes, and the former Gor Mahia player had no trouble beating Vincent Misikhu in goal.
It happened to be the only goal in the first half as none of the teams could score another one.
Zoo needed just 12 minutes after the break to be in level terms; it was a reward for their good start.
In a desperate bid to stop the hosts from scoring, Kimani fouled an opponent in the 57th minute. The Referee had no option but to point on the penalty spot giving Neto a chance to convert from 12-yards.
The former Wazito forward rose for the occasion, sending goalkeeper Steven Odhiambo the wrong way.
Neto could have headed in the second after five minutes, but his header narrowly missed the target with the goalkeeper well beaten. At some point, Wazito looked lost, especially in the attacking front where they missed someone to finish on the created chances.
Kimani had a chance to put his team in front from about 20-yards after the referee awarded them a free-kick following a foul by the defender but the former Mathare United winger missed the target.
In the 68th minute, a reckless pass by Wazito defender at the back fell to Anami just outside the 18-yard area and the towering forward unleashed a powerful shot which the goalkeeper could do little to keep out.
Despite Pascal Ogweno being sent off in the 73rd minute after a second bookable offense, Wazito could not find an equalizer.
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