Anthony Ndolo, George Mandela strike as Tusker go five points clear

Sammy Ndung'u of Muhoroni Youth (left) vies with Osborne Monday of Tusker during their Kenyan Premier League match at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on September 23, 2016. Tusker won 2-1. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |

What you need to know:

  • Ndolo opened the scoring after connecting to Hashim Sempala's cross before Mandela also swept home from close range from Noah Wafula's cut bac in the 11th minute.
  • Paul Muchika headed in Muhoroni's goal from a corner in the 54th minute, giving Tusker goalkeeper David Okello no chance.

Anthony Ndolo and George Mandela struck early in the first half as Tusker beat Muhoroni Youth 2-1 at Afraha Stadium on Friday to extend their lead at the summit of the Kenyan Premier League table to five points.

Ndolo, making a return to the team after missing Tusker 1-1 stalemate with Ushuru, opened the scoring after connecting to Hashim Sempala's cross before Mandela also swept home from close range from Noah Wafula's cut bac in the 11th minute.

Paul Muchika headed in Muhoroni's goal from a corner in the 54th minute, giving Tusker goalkeeper David Okello no chance.

The win saw the 10-time champions extend their lead to five points, meaning that they will remain on top despite the outcome of Sunday’s clash between defending champions Gor Mahia and Sofapaka.

Muhoroni Youth Bob Ogolla was unhappy after the match and pointed an accusing finger to his charges for gifting the brewers “cheap goals”.

"I am disgusted by the result. The boys made costly mistakes and they were punished for that. They conceded silly goals in a span of 15 minutes and I am shocked they played like cowards instead of playing like hardened men who have been tested," said an angry coach Ogolla.

Tusker head coach Paul Nkata was a happy man and said with five remaining matches they were out to grab the title.

"I am happy we have won the match and our target is to maintain the same spirit in the remaining matches and win the title," said coach Nkata.

The rest of the KPL round 25 matches continue this weekend, and the pressure is now on second placed K’Ogalo to keep pace with the brewers.

The 15-time champions will face Sofapaka at the Nyayo Stadium tomorrow, eager to maintain the tempo they have cultivated in the last two weeks and also to narrow the gap between themselves and Tusker as the league enters its homestretch.

K’Ogalo’s Enock Agwanda and Sofapaka’s Erick Ochieng face their former employers as the Green Army gets back on their mission to retain the title for the fourth year running.

After going for four league matches without a win, Gor beat Chemelil Sugar 3-1 and Ulinzi Stars 1-0 in their last two matches to get their season back on track.

Gor captain Musa Mohammed on Friday said they will fight till the end.

“I can’t say that we have changed anything. People are only noticing the difference because the results are now good. We have always been working hard to win games, even on instances when we end up losing points. The same applies to Sunday’s game,” he said.

For Sofapaka, the mission will be the same as it has been since this season began. Batoto ba Mungu have occupied the bottom spot of the table since February, and this will be just another chance for them to try and rise clear of the red zone.

Coach David Ouma is back in the country after a fortnight-long absence during which he led the national women’s football team to a runners up place in the just concluded Cecafa Women Championship in Jinja.

His assistant, John Baraza, said that his team has not yet given up the fight.

“We haven’t resigned to fate. Until that moment when that is decided, we shall continue to try to win,” Baraza said.

Troubled AFC Leopards will be looking to rebound against Western Stima who’ve beaten them twice already this season on Saturday while Mathare United fight to return to the to the top three with a win over Posta Rangers on Sunday.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Chemelil Sugar v Ulinzi Stars (Chemelil Stadium, 2pm)

Bandari v City Stars (Mbaraki Stadium, 3pm)
KK Homeboyz v Ushuru (Mumias Complex, 3pm)

AFC Leopards v Western Stima (Nyayo Stadium, 3pm)

Sunday

Mathare United v Posta Rangers (Nyayo Stadium, 2pm)

Thika United v Sony Sugar (Thika Stadium, 3pm)

Sofapaka v Gor Mahia (Nyayo Stadium, 4.15pm)