Dogged Tusker sink Bandari to edge closer to KPL title

Tusker FC took a giant step towards dethroning Gor Mahia FC as Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions after leaving it late to emerge with a hard fought 1-0 victory in Mombasa against a dogged Bandari FC.

Super-substitute, Ghanaian national Stephen Owusu was the hero for the Brewers when he scored the winner in the 83rd minute of the contest played at Mbaraki Grounds in Mombasa.

Victory saw the 2012 champions stretch their lead at the top to seven with four games left on 51 points ahead of Gor (44) who will not feature in the KPL this weekend as they vie for the Top 8 title against Muhoroni on Sunday.

Owusu needed only 30 seconds in the field after coming off from the bench to make all the difference after taking the place of 2014 KPL Player of the Year, Anthony Ndolo,  when he headed past Wilson Obungu with his very first touch.

Bandari coach, Ken Odhiambo blamed his defenders for gifting Tusker a goal that should have been avoided.

“I was shouting from the touchline to my players to mark Owusu as he was coming on, but they lacked concentration. We have conceded all goals against Tusker from the blind zone and Owusu exploited that,” the incensed former Harambee Stars international lamented.

His opposite number Nkata hailed his match winner saying he got it right as instructed.

“That is the kind of player you need, who comes on and does exactly what you expected. We are almost there but we still have four matches to. I must win the next two to conclude the title is home,” charged Nkata.

Tusker will be declared champions should they win their next two games ahead of their final day meeting on November 19 with Gor that is increasingly looking like a procession t change guard after another dogged display from Paul Nkata’s side.

The leaders should have gone ahead in the 14th but Allan Wanga failed to convert Noah Wafula’s glorious cross with Obungu out of his line.

The hosts were forced to introduce 2014 KPL Golden Boot winner Dan Sserunkuma four minutes to the break for injured Omar Boraafya a change coach Odhiambo claimed after the match disrupted his plans

Shafik Batambuze wasted an open chance in the 53rd after he was picked by Osborne Monday before Humphrey Mieno’s strike went off-target after a sumptuous combination with Wanga as Tusker turned the screw after the break.

Their goal keeper David Okelo did well to beat away Sserunkuma’s effort in the 59th from a Shaban Kenga cross as Bandari threatened.

Four minutes later, Wafula combined with Ndolo to put Wanga through but he headed off target with only Obungu to beat before Owusu rose from the bench for the telling intervention that brought Tusker closer to their 11th title in their glittering history.

Elsewhere at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani, Chemelil Sugar edged Ushuru 2-1 with Jared Obwoge striking a brace for the Sugar Millers in the 14th and 21st minutes of the first half.

Ebrimmah Sanneh pulled one back for the Taxmen in the 71st as Ushuru were left hanging two places above the relegation places on 27 points as Chemelil moved up fifth on 39.

Sony Sugar compounded bottom placed Sofapaka’s woes when Juma Masoud scored the solitary goal in the 70th in a 1-0 victory as Kakamega Homeboyz battled to a barren stalemate against Posta Rangers.

Thika United grabbed a 1-0 win over relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars in a match that saw both sides finish with 10 men after Sammy Mejja and Jimmy Bageya received their marching orders for the home ans away side.

Captain Dennis Odhiambo converted from the spot in the 85th for the only goal that all but ensured Thika will be playing top flight football next season.