Tusker bounce back with Wazito win as Gor make it four out of four to go top

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 30 – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions Tusker FC bounced back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Wazito FC at the Ruaraka Complex while record champions Gor Mahia made it four wins in four matches with a 1-0 victory over Sofapaka.

At the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, Jules Ulimwengu scored the solitary goal for K’Ogalo as they went top of the table with 12 points, two ahead of Nairobi City Stars who drew 1-1 with Posta Rangers.

At Ruaraka, pressure was on Tusker boss Robert Matano after back to back losses. Shami Kibwana and Ugandan forward Deogratious Ojok scored in either half for the yellow and black.

It was a game of two halves with the brewers dominating the first half while Wazito were dominant in the second half.

Tusker were off to a good start with coach Matano making several changes to his squad. Christopher Oruchum was preferred in defense ahead of Eugene Asike while Teddy Osok earned his first start of the season since joining the brewers.

Daniel Sakari was also handed a start on the right side of defense with Jimmy Mbugua switching to the left, being preferred ahead of Hillary Wandera.

Oruchum had the first chance for Tusker in the sixth minute when he collected the ball at the edge of the box off a corner, taking a curling effort that was turned behind for a corner by Zamu Adisa.

Shami and Jackson Macharia, handed the armband for the afternoon were moving brilliantly in attack and the two almost combined for the opening goal in the 14^th minute.

Shami put Macharia through on the right, the dreadlocked-midfielder dancing around his markers on the right before cutting back a cross inside the box. However, the Wazito backline cleared.

The home side continued their dominance in the game with Macharia and Shami being a constant menace, but they couldn’t crack the opening goal.

However, they were 1-0 up in the 40^th minute when Kibwana, signed at the start of the season from Kakamega Homeboyz scored.

The forward volleyed the ball home from inside the box after being flicked through by Ibrahim Joshua.

In the second half though, Wazito came back stronger. Tusker were further dented a few minutes into the second half when both their defensive midfielders, Clyde Senaji and Osok were pulled out injured and were replaced by Kevin Okoth and Rodgers Ouma.

The absence of a defensive shield infront of the back four was a blow for Tusker as Wazito found spaces to play.

Wazito were almost caught on the counter in the 69^th minute when Macharia picked up a long ball isolated on the left. The midfielder flipped the ball over the keeper and took a shot at goal. However, Fidel Origa cleared off the line.

Wazito continued their pressure with Vincent Oburu being brought on to enforce the forward line. However, Tusker stood tall.

They drove the final nail on the Wazito coffin in the first minute of added time when substitute Ojok picked up another long ball on the counter. He turned, cited the keeper a yard off his line and curled in a shot that hit the inside of the post into the net.