Achema strikes as Matano enjoys winning return to Tusker

Wazito's Joe Waithira (right) shields the ball from Tusker midfielder Hashim Sempala in a past match. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ugandan forward Robert Achema struck the only goal of the match on 11 minutes to ensure Matano enjoys a winning return to the 11-time Kenyan champions.
  • Tusker host Sony Sugar while Wazito visit Sofapaka in their upcoming league matches on Sunday.

Robert Matano announced his return to Tusker for a second stint as head coach in style as the Brewers beat Wazito 1-0 in a Kenyan Premier League match at Camp Toyoyo grounds on Wednesday.

Ugandan forward Robert Achema struck the only goal of the match on 11 minutes to ensure Matano enjoys a winning return to the 11-time Kenyan champions, just two days after taking over from Sam Timbe, who was sacked on Sunday after a string of poor performances.

Tusker coach Robert Matano (right), his assistant Charles Okere (centre) and team manager George Opondo during their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match against Wazito at Camp Toyoyo grounds on April 25, 2018. Okere is the new Harambee Starlets head coach. 

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

Matthew Odongo started a mazy run on the right flank and his pass across the face of goal was mistimed by Emmanuel Tienan, and Achema capitalised to unleash a rasping shot past goalkeeper Phillip Odhiambo.

“It’s a good win for us all but it’s not enough we still need to do more to move up the standings,” Matano said after leading Tusker to their third win of the season.

“Football is a mental sport. Prepare players well and the rest will fall into place. The team has been weak defensively, this is what I spent the whole of yesterday analysing and I am happy they defended well today.”

His counterpart Frank Ouna was disappointed after dropping three points for the sixth time this season.

Wazito coach Frank Ouna gestures during their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match against Tusker at Camp Toyoyo grounds on April 25, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

“We played and controlled the game well, a draw would have been a fair result looking at the chances in both halves,” said Ouna.

“We’ve had the disadvantage of playing teams that have changed coaches where players play to impress the new coach. We did it against Chemelil Sugar and now Tusker, those are six points dropped I have watched Tusker before, they have never played with with the zeal and fighting spirit like today.”

Matano made two changes to the team that fell 3-1 to Zoo Kericho last Saturday handing starts to David Mwangi and Brian Osumba as veteran goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng’ manned the sticks.

Ouna, fresh from a 1-0 win over Mathare United on Saturday, benched Harun Nyakha for David Oswe in the only change to his line up.

Piston Mutamba almost struck the opener after 10 minutes but his attempted lob inside the box forced Duncan Ochieng’ into a fingertip save for a fruitless corner.

A minute later, Tusker went ahead via Achema who latched onto a loose ball after Emmanuel Tienan failed to intercept Odongo’s cross.

Tusker forward Matthew Odongo (right) passes the ball under pressure from Wazito's Patience Lukige during their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at Camp Toyoyo grounds on April 25, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Patience Lukige raced down the right flank but his shot was blocked by David Mwangi on 32 minutes and with eight minutes to the break, Tusker had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Agnetta Itubo after Odongo was tripped in the box by Wazito skipper Dan Owino.

In the 48th minute, Ouna introduced Samson Ndegwa for Oswe as Eric Ambunya and Timothy Otieno replaced Mwangi and Mike Khamati on the Tusker side.

Tusker defender Marlon Tangauzi (left) vies for the ball with Wazito's Joe Waithira during their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at Camp Toyoyo grounds on April 25, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

It was Ibrahim Mao’s introduction in the 56th minute for Kennedy Ayako that changed the tempo of the game with his dangerous runs troubling the Tusker backline led by Lloyd Wahome and Eugene Asike.

With the clock tickling, Tusker sat back and absorbed the pressure will waiting to catch their opponents on the counter.

Tusker host Sony Sugar while Wazito visit Sofapaka in their upcoming league matches on Sunday.