By Gilbert Wandera
Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker stopped Rangers 4-2 in one of the two double headers at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
It was the struggling Rangers who scored first going ahead in the 18th minute through Charles Pilipili.
Two-goal hero Jerry Santos then equalised for Tusker with a 39th minute header.
Santos scored his second with an injury time penalty, but after Jaffrey Oyando had scored Rangers’ second goal in the 63rd minute.
Tusker completely dominated as the second half kicked off and were rewarded with two quick goals in the 50th and 52nd minute.
First, Edward Kauka headed into his own net from a Jockins Atudo free-kick and then Atudo stepped up to score from the penalty spot after Pascal Ochieng’ had handled in the box.
Despite having an upper hand in the second half, Tusker were always in danger of conceding a goal, especially after they kept on throwing away their chances.
Three minutes into the second half, Joseph Emeka was too slow to finish off a Paul Were effort inside the Rangers defence.
Rangers had one of their few efforts in the 50th minute, but Edward Mwaura hit the post with Boniface Oluoch in goal well-beaten.
Emeka was to miss again in the 61st minute placing the ball wide after Were had done the spade work. Patrick Kagogo should have passed the ball instead of trying to score in the 67th minute as he hit out from a tight angle.
Tusker coach Sammy Omollo was a happy man after the vital win.
“Rangers are always a hard team to beat. Last season they won both legs of our fixture with them and so it is great to win against them,” he said.
He was, however, not happy with this strikers for failing to put away open chances.
Rangers coach Jaffar Gachuki praised his side for daring to come-back even when they were two goals down.
