Sony Sugar powerless to break Tuskers glorious strides

Tusker FC recovered from a shock start to move to within just one game away from lifting the 2016 Kenyan Premier League title (KPL) after edging a stubborn Sony Sugar side 1-0 in a tense league encounter played at the Awendo Green Stadium on Saturday.

A win against AFC Leopards – who are their next opponents – on November, 6th will see the Brewers clinch their 11th league title with a titanic close closing day clash against Gor Mahia FC to spare.

At the Moi Stadium Kisumu, Kennedy Otieno broke Chemelil Sugar FC’s hearts as he struck at the death to earn Western Stima a late point in a 1-1 stalemate after Ojwang David had opened the scoring in the first half. The result leaves Chemelil third on 44 points with Stima a point adrift on fourth.

Elsewhere, Ushuru FC picked a valuable point from a dour goalless draw at home to Muhoroni Youth but remain in danger of lurking Sofapaka FC who claimed a priceless 3-2 win against AFC Leopards on Friday. Meanwhile, Abdulatif Omar scored for Bandari FC in the 85th minute as the Dockers edged Posta Rangers 1-0.  

At Awendo, David Okello produced a stirring first minute save to deny striker Amos Asembeka from the spot after the hosts had been awarded a first minute penalty and it was just the wake-up call the visitors needed as Noah Wafula fired them into the lead in the 33rd minute.

Defender Shafik Batambuze was penalized for a nasty elbow on forward Masud Juma inside the box but Okello kept out the spot-kick with his feet after Asembeka had opted to fire straight down the middle.

Salim Babu’s charges however showed great mentality to dust off the set-back and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession before the 2012 champions shifted into top gear just after the half hour mark.

Clifford Alwanga was the first to threaten for the insurgent Tusker, sending a 25-yard shot crackling off the post with custodian Kennedy Obwanda beaten. Moments later, the former KCB striker unleashed yet another long ranger but Obwanda was equal to it, diving low to hold onto the shot.

There was no stopping the visitors two minutes later as they finally found their breakthrough courtesy of Wafula. Ugandan Robert Omunuk spotted Allan Wanga making a run inside the box, crossed into his path but the latter could only manage a flick that fell kindly in front of Wafula for the simplest of finishes.

Tusker continued their hunt for a second goal after the restart but were almost pegged back in the 60th minute when Juma Masuo’s shot narrowly missed the target after beating Okello.

Moments later Okello produced a top-notch save to palm away Amos Asembeka’s stinging effort. It was well hit and headed to the keeper’s far left but Okello generated enough flight and a strong arm to preserve his side’s lead.

It was Sony’s turn to put in their defensive shift as Hashim Sempala’s cutting pass set up Head Coach Paul Nkata’s men for a fast break, before Omunuk delivered the cross but Alwanga’s mistimed jump saw the ball glide harmlessly off the tip of his head.

Omonuk had endured a frustrating afternoon and was spared further disappointment as Nkata introduced George Mandela in place of the former Simba SC forward.

At this point Tusker were only too glad to let their opponents dictate the play, knitting tight their backline and having both Humphrey Mieno and Wanga drop back to the midfield.

As a result, the last 20 minutes were characterized by niggly tackles and reckless challenges with Sony completely shut out of Tusker’s 18-yard box.

With 12 minutes of regular time left to play, left-back Samuel Olare lofted in a well measured cross but there was no one to attack the ball. Guarded by a sturdy backline, Okello comfortably chested it down and only waited until Collins Kisuya went to attack it before picking it up.

Nkata then made his last change of the day, resting goalscorer Wafula and introducing Luis Tera as the Brewers wrapped up three vital points.