Mathare go top after Sofapaka rout, Tusker hit City Stars
Tusker FC's Ekaliani Ndolo (third left) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the team's opening goal against Nairobi City Stars in their SportPesa Premier League match at Kenyattta Stadium, Machakos on February 27, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- In the first match played at the same venue, Mathare Untied humiliated Sofapaka 5-2 to assume league leadership with seven points.
- And in Awendo, Maurice Odipo scored the only of the match as Sony Sugar lost 1-0 to 10-man Ushuru.
- Tusker had lost their previous game against Ulinzi Stars, and the 2-1 win over City Stars was a welcome relief for coach Paul Nkata.
Ten-time Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Nairobi City Stars at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday.
In the first match played at the same venue, Mathare Untied humiliated Sofapaka 5-2 to assume league leadership with seven points.
And in Awendo, Maurice Odipo scored the only of the match as Sony Sugar lost 1-0 to 10-man Ushuru.
It was a dark day for former champions Sofapaka as they soaked in five goals against Mathare United.
Obadiah Ndege, club top scorer with three goals, scored in the 45th and 70th minute of the game as veteran Noah Abich, midfielders Eric Johanna and Roy Syamba complemented this brace with a goal each.
Brian Nyakan and substitute Heritier Luvualu had sparked a comeback for Batoto ba Mungu with a goal each early in the second half but they were unable to sustain the attacking intensity from Francis Kimanzi’s charges.
Sofapaka goalkeeper Everest Mutiyimana stops a shot from Mathare United's Harisson Mwendwa (centre) during their SportPesa Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on February 27, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
To make matters more difficult for the David Ouma-coached side, winger Patrick Mugendi was sent off in the 69th minute for a reckless foul in the middle of the park.
WELCOME RELIEF
Tusker had lost their previous game against Ulinzi Stars, and the 2-1 win over City Stars was a welcome relief for coach Paul Nkata.
The brewers suffered a setback early in the match, with defender Eugene Asike sliding the ball into his own net, beating goalkeeper David Okello in the ninth minute.
2014 KPL Player of the Year Anthony Ndolo however equalised for the brewers 11 minutes later with his first goal for Tusker.
City Stars provided a significant pushback and they created numerous chances, but strikers Ezekiel Odera and Jimmy Bageya were both unable to apply precision in front of goal.
Lanky midfielder Humphrey Mieno struck the winner for the Brewers with a screamer in the 69th minute.
A relieved Tusker coach Paul Nkata said that he was pleased that his boys did not repeat the mistakes they made against Ulinzi last weekend.
"I’m happy that the strikers were more accurate with the chances created. Lack of composure in front of goal is what cost us in the last match and I am glad that the boys were more clinical today," the Ugandan said.
