Amianda strike sends Ushuru second in NSL
Ushuru players from left Evans Maliach, Baron Oketch and Benson Amianda celebrate their team's gaol against Bidco United during their National Super League match at Thika Subcounty Stadium on May 20, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Victory takes the taxmen to second on 32 points, a point ahead of Nairobi Stima, who drop to third, while Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Kibera Black Stars follow in that order completing the top five.
- Western Stima lead on 36 points as Bidco, who have lost three matches in a row, remain on 25 points after 17 rounds.
Former Tusker striker Benson Amianda’s priceless goal at the stroke of halftime is all visiting Ushuru needed to edge Bidco United 1-0 and move second on the National Super League (NSL) table in the only fixture played on Sunday at the chilly Thika Subcounty Stadium.
Amianda lurched onto a long ball to place past the onrushing Bidco goalkeeper Charles Okeyo seconds before referee Brasan Mamati whistled for halftime.
Victory takes the taxmen to second on 32 points, a point ahead of Nairobi Stima, who drop to third, while Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Kibera Black Stars follow in that order completing the top five.
Western Stima lead on 36 points as Bidco, who have lost three matches in a row, remain on 25 points after 17 rounds.
“It was a very tough match especially in the first half we took time to settle because we’ve been training on an artificial turf but picked ourselves up in the second half and could string few passes together.
All in all, I am happy for the three points for that’s what we worked for during the week,” an elated Ushuru coach Ken Kenyatta said.
His Bidco counterpart Leonard Saleh rued poor finishing for their sixth loss of the current campaign.
“This is a game we should’ve won but again, we didn’t take use of our chances unlike the opponents who got one and converted,” a dejected Saleh said.
He added: “We’ve a tough match away to Isibania next weekend, hopefully we can end this bad run with a positive result ahead of the second round.”
Kenyatta lined up Amianda and Billy Oporia upfront, while Luis Masika and Fredrick Okoth manned the backline with Ken Abwanda in goal.
Bidco relied on David Juma and Geoffrey Kariuki for goals with Sean Opwora captaining the side from the midfield.
A lackluster first half from both sides almost yielded no goal in a chilly atmosphere had it not been for a slip in defence that allowed Amianda to poke home.
George Amayo failed to intercept a long ball from Nelson Marasowe, before Amianda beat the offside trap to beat Okeyo in between the sticks.
Bidco had a scoring opportunity three minutes after restart but Opwora’s free kick from the edge of the box was picked by Abwanda.
