Super-sub Manoa strikes as Sharks edge out Thika

Thika United midfielder Saad Musa (right) battles for the ball with Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Duke Abuya during their Kenya Premier League match at Thika Sub-County Stadium on March 16, 2018. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO |

What you need to know:

  • Manoah rose highest to head home a Patillah Omotto free kick in the 80th minute.

Francis Manoa came off the bench to score the winner as visiting Kariobangi Sharks beat Thika United in a Kenyan Premier League match at a rain-soaked Thika Sub-County Stadium on Saturday.

Manoah rose highest to head home a Patillah Omotto free kick in the 80th minute.

The win, Sharks’ second over Thika in three meetings, took their tally to 12 points, eight ahead of 15th placed Thika who remain winless after seven rounds.

At Sudi Stadium, a brace from Elvis Rupia is all Nzoia Sugar needed to overcome Zoo Kericho 2-1 and extend the visitor's winless run to seven games.

Nicholas Kipkirui drew the first blood in the 24th minute but Rupia netted in the 40th and 83rd minutes to lift Bernard Mwalala’s men out of relegation zone for the first time this season.

In Mumias, Bandari piled more misery on Edward Manoah's Vihiga United with a late 1-0 win at Mumias Sports Complex courtesy of a well taken David King’atua free kick on 84 minutes.

Back to Thika, Saad Musa sent wide his shot in the 28th minute before Shaphan Oyugi wriggled through Thika defence only to miss the target by a whisker in a first half that saw a handful chances created.

“We were looking for a win at all costs and I am happy we got it,” Sharks coach William Muluya said after the match.

“I want my players to perform even better in upcoming matches, it’s through winning that we shall meet our objectives,” he added.

His opposite number Nicholas Muyoti rued missed chances, which left him battling to get his first win of the season.

“They utilised their half chance unlike my boys. We played well and we now go back to the drawing board and try find solutions to our attacking problems,” he said.

Thika skipper Dennis Odhiambo cleared off the line Duke Abuya’s attempted lob over goalkeeper Caleb Wafula at the start of the second half in a goalmouth melee that saw Sharks midfielder Shaphan Oyugi collide with Baraka Badi on the woodwork, both sustaining injuries.

Oyugi, formerly of Chemelil Sugar, would later on be replaced by James Mazembe in the 53rd minute and five minutes later, Nicholas Muyoti introduced Benson Iregi and James Kinyanjui for Saad Musa and Peter Okoth respectively.

Sammy Mejja’s 71st minute free kick from 20 yards was blocked by Omoto and a Dennis Odhiambo rebound cleared as Thika’s search for an opener hit a brick wall.

Manoa, who came on for Abuya a minute after the hour mark, broke the deadlock with 10 minutes to time after nodding home Omotto's free-kick.

RESULTS

Nzoia Sugar 2-1 Zoo Kericho

Thika United 0-1 Kariobangi Sharks

Vihiga United 0-1 Bandari

Sunday fixtures

Sofapaka v Tusker (Machakos Stadium, 2pm)

Sony Sugar v Mathare United (Awendo Green Stadium, 3pm)

Wazito v Nakumatt (Camp Toyoyo, 3pm)

Ulinzi Stars v Posta Rangers (Afraha Stadium, 3pm)

AFC Leopards v Kakamega Homeboyz (Machakos Stadium, 4.15pm)