Nyakan strikes to sink Nzoia, Mathare held in Nakuru

Former champions Ulinzi Stars and Mathare United battled to a barren draw at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru in one of the four Kenyan Premier League matches played across the country on Saturday.

The result saw Mathare move to the summit of the league on seven points despite dropping points for the first time this season.

At Camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi, goalkeeper Eric Ogwade put up a man-of-the-match performance as newbies Wazito held visiting Kakamega Homeboyz to a goalless draw.

In Bungoma County, Brian Nyakan’s second league goal of the season handed Nakumatt a hard-fought 1-0 win over hosts Nzoia Sugar at Sudi Stadium.

And in Awasi, former FC Talanta striker Eric Kapaito’s strike looked to have handed Kariobangi Sharks their first ever win at Chemelil Sports Complex before Amani Kyata struck at the death to ensure both sides share the spoils in the 1-1 stalemate.

In Nakuru, the Slum Boys thought they had taken the lead in the seventh minute after Cliff Nyakeya headed in from a Daniel Mwaura cross, but assistant referee Gladys Cherono had her flag up, forcing referee Badr Yasin to call for a goal kick.

Nyakeya beat Ulinzi goalkeeper Timothy Odhiambo with a thumping header but Mwaura's ball had drifted out of play as he picked him with a pinpoint cross in the Ulinzi box.

Mwaura, a constant threat to Dunstan Nyaudo's charges all afternoon, combined well with Clifford Alwanga midway through the half, but the former Tusker man couldn't go past the Ulinzi defence.

Moments before that, the Mathare bench held their heads in disbelief after Mwaura had beaten Ruto on the right but his shot drifted across the face of goal and out of play with Odhiambo well beaten.

BRILLIANT SAVE

At Camp Toyoyo grounds, Ogwade pulled a brilliant save in the 88th minute to deny Homeboyz midfielder Wycliffe Opondo a goal that could have separated the two sides.

Midfielder Moses Mudavadi broke on the right wing, left his marker, then teed up Opondo, but his shot was magnificently forced over the bar by a wrong-footed Ogwade to the shock of the visitors.

“My boys put in an excellent performance but we lacked concentration in the final third. It’s an encouraging result against a side that finished in the top five last season,” Wazito coach Frank Ouna said after the match.

“Slowly we are getting used to the heat of the premier league and unlike the second tier, the top flight is tactical.”

Homeboyz tactician Mike Mururi rued the missed chances that denied his charges a chance to close in on the leading pack.

“The artificial turf slowed us down because we are not used to playing in such a pitch. However, we played well but lost so many chances in front of goal. I have to continue working on my forward line because it’s by scoring that we can win games,” noted Mururi, whose side has only scored a goal in three games.

RESULTS

Wazito 0-0 Kakamega Homeboyz

Kariobangi Sharks 1-1 Chemelil Sugar

Nzoia Sugar 0-1 Nakumatt

Ulinzi Stars 0-0 Mathare United

Sunday fixtures

Sony Sugar v Zoo Kericho (Awendo)

Thika United v Bandari (Thika)

Vihiga United v Posta Rangers (Bukhungu)