City Stars end Tusker's title hopes

Tusker's Khalid Aucho dribbles the ball away from Nakuru Top Fry's Erastus Mwaniki during their KPL match at Rwaraka grounds on 06-08-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Nairobi; Kenya: Perhaps Tusker's head coach Francis Kimanzi can give a clear word of how hard it is to play a team fighting for survival in the top tier league after his side was held to a one-all draw by City Stars yesterday at Ruaraka grounds in a Kenyan Premier League match.

Going into the match as clear favourites considering their form, quality, position on the log and points gathered so far, the brewers hoped for nothing less than a win that would have taken them top of the table with 44 points, same as reigning KPL champions Gor Mahia though with superior goal difference.

Playing a tactical and cautious game, Tusker enjoyed the territorial advantage showing composure for the better part of the match and taking the game to the visitors who contained the pressure while pushing upfront only when necessary.

Tusker took the lead through Khalid Aucho on the 26th minute but the lead was cancelled latter in second half (83rd minute) by Raymond Ochieng' who came on as a substitute. The Kawangware-based team hang on to the equaliser as Tusker pressed harder in search of a winning goal in the final minutes.

Earlier, KRA continued their most torrid time in the league as they went down to SoNy 1-0 at the same venue. That was the fifth consecutive defeat for the taxmen as they remain sixth on the log with 33 points from 25 matches. Quite a tight match it was for both sides with attempts coming from both ends and it was SoNy's Kennedy Oduor who broke the deadlock on the 39th minute.