After a poor start to the 2017 season, champs Tusker are on the rise
Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker made it six wins in a row after thumping Mathare United 2-0 at Ruaraka Stadium yesterday.
Goals by Michael Khamati who struck in the first minute and Shafique Batambuze’s 85th minute goal were enough to pile more misery on Mathare United side that has now lost four matches in a row.
It was a result that left coach George Nsimbe elated, who praised on his boys for showing an impressive fighting spirit.
“This was another good result for us after the players pushed themselves. Making it six wins in a row is not an easy feat and I want to congratulate the boys once again,” he said.
His Mathare United counterpart Francis Kimanzi maintained that his side gave a good account of themselves and admitted it was not easy coming up against a defending champion.
“It is a disappointing result no doubt, but we take something positives from it for we played well and even created chances. But due to inexperience we could not make any of them count. At this level you have no such luxuries and hopefully we can do better next time,” he said.
Veteran goalkeeper Wycliff Kasaya started only the second game of the season and it was expected that his experience would count against the brewers but it was not to be as he conceded an early goal after failing to stop Khamati’s strike at the far post.
Even after conceding early, Mathare managed to fashion out some chances of their own. Chrispine Oduor and Chris Ochieng both came so close. The second goal by Tusker killed them off completely.
Leopards cornered
In Mumias, Kakamega Homeboyz edged out AFC Leopards 1-0 piling more pressure on want away coach Stewart Hall.
Mohamed Diallo scored the only goal of the match after coming on for Wycliff Ochomo. It is the fourth loss for Leopards this season. Prior to yesterday’s loss, Leopards had gone down 3-0 to Gor Mahia and 1-0 to Sony before being held 1-1 by Zoo Kericho.
The team’s good start at the beginning of the season seems to have faded into distant memory as their inexperienced players are coming to terms with the reality of top flight football.
In Kericho, Zoo Kericho upset Bandari 3-2 handing the porters their second defeat in a row coming on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Kariobangi Sharks.