Tusker smother Ulinzi to end losing skid

Tusker's forward Boniface Muchiri celebrates a goal against Ulinzi Stars during their SportPesa Premier League match at the Ruaraka grounds on June 7, 2018. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO |

What you need to know:

  • A defensive lapse in the 20th minute permitted Jackson Macharia to find Osumba with a pass that the former KCB man easily beat Saruni for the opener.
  • Ulinzi replied eight minutes later through Waweru’s free kick that was cleared off the line by Achema and with six minutes to the break, Muchiri doubled the lead from a sublime free kick from 25 yards out.

Eleven-time champions Tusker ended a three-match winless streak with a 3-0 win over four-time champions Ulinzi Stars in a SportPesa Premier League match played at Ruaraka grounds on Thursday.

On-form Brian Osumba scored a brace in the 20th and 48th minutes to add on Boniface Muchiri’s 39th free kick condemning the soldiers to their second consecutive league defeat.

Victory for Tusker, their seventh in 22 meetings against Ulinzi and the sixth in the current season sends them to 11 spot with 22 points, six adrift of fourth-placed Ulinzi after 18 rounds though Ulinzi have a game in hand.

Tusker coach Robert Matano started with veteran Duncan Ochieng’ in between the sticks with Justine Omary and Lloyd Wahome partnering in defence, while Muchiri, Robert Achema and Mike Khamati led the front line.

Tusker's forward Michael Khamati (right) handles the ball during their SportPesa Premier League match against Ulinzi Stars at the Ruaraka grounds on June 7, 2018. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Ulinzi had James Saruni in goal, making a return after five matches, with Enosh Ochieng and Daniel Waweru also returning to the starting eleven.

A defensive lapse in the 20th minute permitted Jackson Macharia to find Osumba with a pass that the former KCB man easily beat Saruni for the opener.

Ulinzi replied eight minutes later through Waweru’s free kick that was cleared off the line by Achema and with six minutes to the break, Muchiri doubled the lead from a sublime free kick from 25 yards out.

“This is a big win for us I am pleased with the boys’ performance, now we need consistency, no more excitement like last time,” said a relieved Tusker coach Robert Matano.

He added: “Ulinzi didn’t put much pressure on us despite having good players, but I am happy that they have come of age, I actually recruited most of them.”

His Ulinzi counterpart Dunstan Nyaudo was dejected with the defeat heading into their next match against Kakamega Homeboyz.

“Tusker played a lot of long balls and made use of the second balls especially in the first half that resulted to the two goals. This is a lesson for us as whenever you lose, you pick a lot to prepare for in the next match,” he said.