Posta Rangers edge 10-man Kariobangi Sharks to go top
Kariobangi Sharks defender Bolton Omwenga (left) vies for the ball with Gerald Obwege of Posta Rangers during their SportPesa Premier League match at Afraha Stadium on April 22, 2017. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Veteran Rangers midfielder Joseph Mbugi struck the winner from the spot eight minutes from the break, sending Sharks keeper John Oyiembi diving on the opposite side.
- Dennis Mukaisi had beaten two Sharks defenders before unleashing a thunderbolt which was stopped by defender Pascal Ogweno before it crossed the goal line.
- Gor Mahia, who were set to play champions Tusker in a late kick-off on Saturday, could return to the top of the table with a win over the brewers at the same venue.
Posta Rangers beat Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru to move to the summit of the SportPesa Premier League standings on Saturday.
Gor Mahia, who were set to play champions Tusker in a late kick-off on Saturday, could return to the top of the table with a win over the brewers at the same venue.
Veteran Rangers midfielder Joseph Mbugi struck the winner from the spot eight minutes from the break, sending Sharks keeper John Oyiembi diving on the opposite side.
Dennis Mukaisi had beaten two Sharks defenders before unleashing a thunderbolt which was stopped by defender Pascal Ogweno before it crossed the goal line.
This prompted centre referee Moses Simiyu to award Rangers a penalty amid protests from angry Shark players.
With Sharks players hovering around the match officials, Simiyu gave Ogweno his marching orders but the drama was not yet over as the irritated defender forcibly grabbed the red card from the referee and threw it out of the pitch and refused to leave for an early shower.
This forced KPL's head of security GMT Otieno to summon police officers to frog match Ogweno from the team bus out of the perimeter wall of the pitch.
Earlier on in the match, Joseph Nyaga had missed a glorious chance to give Rangers the lead in the 25th minute before Sharks’ Francis Manoah raced with the ball deep inside the Rangers half but failed to convert from inside the box.
Rangers skipper Joackins Atudo also sent his headed effort wide in the half-hour mark with goalkeeper Oyiembe well beaten.
Sharks coach William Muluhya commended his charges for putting a spirited fight despite playing with 10 men for 55 minutes.
"We did our best and with 10 men in the pitch and managed to restrict the score line to 1-0. I think my boys did a good job and I hope to improve on the mistakes in our next match," said Muluhya.
His Rangers counterpart Sammy Omollo was an elated man.
"My boys withstood the pressure and I am happy my back four led by Atudo kept Shark strikers at bay," said Omollo.
