Vihiga ease relegation woes with Posta win

Vihiga United took a giant leap towards safety after edging out Posta Rangers 1-0 in a SportPesa Premier League match played at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County on Saturday.

Amos Kigadi scored the all-important goal three minutes before the final whistle. Kigadi capitalized on a defensive lapse from the hosts to head home Vincent Wanda’s long throw-in for their first victory over Posta in three league meetings

Vihiga’s eighth win this term takes their tally to 34 points, two ahead of 16^th placed Chemelil Sugar who settled for a 1-1 draw Sony Sugar at Awendo Green Stadium.

Maxwell Onyango came off the bench to cancel Justin Monda’s 21^st minute opener as Sony Sugar rallied to hold Chemelil Sugar 1-1 in a millers derby staged at at Awendo Green Stadium.

“We are very thankful for this win, Posta were a threat in the first half but my tactical changes paid off in the second half, we now need one more win and we shall be safe,” said Vihiga coach Mike Mururi after the game.

Posta assistant coach George Maina rued lack of concentration for their second consecutive defeat after a 2-1 loss to AFC Leopards here last Saturday.

“It's unfortunate we conceded through a set-piece yet we kept on urging our players to be careful on Vihiga’s throw-ins because we knew they are good in them. We also missed scoring chances in the first half that would’ve killed off the game,” lamented Maina who stood in for a visibly frustrated Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo in the post-match interview.

WADRI STARS

At Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa, Ugandan forward William Wadri starred in Bandari’s 3-1 win over visiting Nakumatt.

Wadri drew the first blood eight minutes into the game after latching onto a long ball from custodian Farouk Shikhalo to slalom into the box before firing home past Phillip Odhiambo in the Nakumatt goal.

Nakumatt would level through Joe Waithira shortly after restart before Wadri won a penalty that was successfully converted by Felly Mulumba. He was tripped inside the area by Nakumatt defender Amani Kyata.

Shaban Kenga consolidated the victory with a third goal in the dying moments as second-placed Bandari took their points tally to 58.

Back in Machakos, Vihiga had the first sniff at goal two minutes after referee Collins Opiyo blew the opening whistle but Amos Kigadi’s first time header from a Dennis Wafula cross flew over the crossbar.

Posta’s first attempt came on 19 minutes when Marcellus Ingotsi combined with Erick Kibiru who unleashed a right-footed shot that forced Vihiga goalkeeper Geoffrey Oput to palm out for a fruitless corner.

Danson Kago was a constant threat with his mazy runs on the right flank giving Vihiga left back Dennis Ombeva a difficult afternoon.

The former Sofapaka and Tusker winger broke down the right flank on 35 minutes and forced Oput to parry his right-foot in-swinger into the path of Dennis Mukaisi who blasted wide the rebound.

Substitute Patrick Okullo fouled Gerson Likono outside the 18 yard box but the latter’s free kick on 66 minutes sailed way over the bar and five minutes later, Amos Kigadi’s low shot rolled horribly off target with Posta goalkeeper Gradus Ochieng’ well beaten.

SATURDAY RESULTS

Bandari 3-1 Nakumatt (Mbaraki Sports)

Sony Sugar 1-1 Chemelil Sugar (Awendo Green Stadium)

Posta Rangers 0-1 Vihiga United (Kenyatta Stadium)

SUNDAY FIXTURES

Wazito v Zoo (Camp Toyoyo, 2pm)

Nzoia Sugar v Thika United (Sudi Stadium, 3pm)

Tusker v Mathare United (Ruaraka Grounds, 3pm)