Nzoia stagger from Tusker double as Bandari sink United

FKF Premier League leaders Tusker FC showed some remarkable spirit to come from a goal down and edge Nzoia Sugar 2-1 during Tuesday’s clash at the Kasarani Annex to go seven points clear at the summit of the table.

The Brewers are now on 32 points, as second-placed KCB are on 25.

After a tepid first half that ended without a goal, Nozia struck in the opening minute of the second period when a defensive mishap allowed Hillary Simiyu to finish from close range.

It appeared Tusker’s seven-match winning streak was under serious threat from then on as Nzoia bravely defended their advantage against mounting pressure from the hosts.

But Jackson Macharia, who made an immense contribution off the bench, struck in the 73rd minute after some intense pressure and Henry Meja completed the turnaround with eight minutes to go.

The victory was Tusker’s seventh in a row and took their points tally to 32, seven clear of second-placed KCB FC who have two games in hand.

Nzoia will have themselves to blame for failing to capitalize the first quarter-hour of the second half in which Tusker were at their mercy, conceding chances which were barely punished.

Felicien Okanda in particular should have made it 2-0 for Nzoia after a delightful switch across the field from Kevin Juma put him clear with only the advancing Tusker goalkeeper Michael Wanjala to beat.

The attacker went for the chip but got his execution wrong and minutes later the visitors had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside.

It was all Tusker from then on as substitutes Macharia and Eric Zakayo changed the complexion of the game.

At the Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa, hosts Bandari made a statement of intent crushing helpless Vihiga United 5-0 to make it three wins on the bounce.

The victory stretched their points tally to 22 from 13 matches as the race for the title shapes up.

This was a huge performance coming in the backdrop of a morale-boosting 2-1 over AFC Leopards at the same venue.

Benjamin Mosha was a thorn in the flesh of visiting Nzoia scoring twice in the comfortable win.

Mosha was on fire in both halves as he terrorised his opponents at will, putting the dockers ahead in the 28th minute with a clean pass from Ugandan player William Wardi.

The Ugandan also had a field day after he provided another assist for Abdallah Hassan to score the second goal in the 34th minute.

Bandari came back after the break more rejuvenated with Samson Namasaka adding the third goal in the 54th minute.

Second half substitute Darius Msagha added the fourth goal in the 75th minute before Mosha completed his brace in the 85th minute.

Report by Matthews Mutai, Mark Mutuku, John Kyanda  and Paul Ombati