Ulinzi make meal of Tusker, Sharks leave Wazito in ruins
Wazito FC’s Kennedy Ayako (right) dribbles the ball past Duke Abuya of Kariobangi Sharks during their Kenyan Premier League match at Camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi on March 4, 2018. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Ulinzi Stars on Sunday chalked up their second win of the season as they overcame Tusker 1-0 in a tough Kenya Premier League match played at a rain-lashed Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
- AFC Leopards bounced back from last week’s disappointment with a morale boosting 2-0 win over Sony Sugar away in Awendo, while Thika United were held to a one-all draw by Mathare United at the Thika Sub-county Stadium.
Ulinzi Stars on Sunday chalked up their second win of the season as they overcame Tusker 1-0 in a tough Kenya Premier League match played at a rain-lashed Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
AFC Leopards bounced back from last week’s disappointment with a morale boosting 2-0 win over Sony Sugar away in Awendo, while Thika United were held to a one-all draw by Mathare United at the Thika Sub-county Stadium.
At the camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi’s Jericho Estate, Eric Kapaito gave out a man-of-the-match performance with a hat-trick that saw Kariobangi Sharks thrash debutants Wazito 4-1.
Heavy rains pounding Nakuru town reduced the Afraha stadium pitch to a muddy, slippery field, forcing former champions Ulinzi Stars and Tusker to navigate through the mud throughout the mach.
The situation was no different in Thika where the pitch appeared dangerously bare and with little grass cover due to heavy rains. The games were however allowed to continue, and Ulinzi netted the all-important goal in the 69th minute through Masita Masuta who soared high to head home a cross by Cliff Kasuti.
The brewers had suffered a big blow just after the half time break when goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng’ was injured, prompting coach Sam Timbe to summon Brian Omondi as a replacement.
This was the soldiers’ second win of the season, and coach Dunstan Nyaudo was happy with the results.
“Winning at home is a morale-booster. I’m happy my boys did not disappoint,” he said.
At Camp Toyoyo, Eric Kapaito’s hat-trick compounded Wazito’s misery, and ensured that they recorded a second consecutive defeat against Kariobangi Sharks.
Duke Abuya broke the deadlock in the 21st minute after Wazito custodian Eric Ogwade had parried Kapaito’s effort.
Kapaito, formerly of Talanta FC, turned home his first goal of the day in the 25th minute thanks to an awful clearance from Ogwade. Eric Odhiambo halved the deficit for Wazito at the stroke of halftime. Kapaito doubled his account at the hour mark.
Reports by Vincent Opiyo, Francis Mureithi, Cellestine Olilo
