Nzoia Sugar make a sweet sip for Tusker

Nzoia Sugar make a sweet sip for Tusker

Nzoia Sugar’s wretched start to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) showed no sign of stopping as they slumped to their fourth successive defeat at the Ruaraka grounds on Saturday, falling 2-1 to Tusker.

Amos Asembeka and Timothy Otieno’s goals fired Tusker to the win, while Nzoia pulled one through Elvis Rupia.

The defeat left Nzoia at the bottom of the KPL log, level with Zoo Kericho FC who also remain winless ahead of Sunday’s home encounter with Thika United.

Nzoia coach Bernard Mwalala will no doubt be furious at the result after watching helplessly as his side wasted chance after chance in the second half when they should have at least taken home a point.

The match got off to a lively start with both sides showing some real desire to go forward. An early breakthrough had looked imminent and it was the hosts that found it first chance thanks to some beautiful combination play from Timothy Otieno and Amos Asembeka.

Robert Achema found Otieno had drifted wide and the former Gor Mahia striker raced to the edge right wing before floating a well-measured cross into the path of Asembeka, who obliged by powering home the opening goal in the eighth minute.

Nzoia Sugar FC players celebrates Elvis Rupia’s goal against Tusker FC during their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at the Ruaraka grounds in Nairobi on February 24, 2018. Tusker FC won 2-1. Photo/Oliver Ananda/Sportpicha.

That lead was however short-lived as Nzoia found the reply through Elvis Rupia who got on the end of an intricate build-up play to beat goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng’ at his near post.

Tusker should have restored their lead straight from the restart but Otieno’s finishing let him down after some good wing play from Collins Shivachi.

The defender had outsprinted Dennis Wanjala, affording himself enough time to pick out his target man. He chose Otieno who had the simplest job of guiding it into the net but he couldn’t gather enough composure to beat goalkeeper Benson Mangala.

He would later get his goal as Asembeka turned provider, selfishly sliding the ball into the path of Otieno after being teed up by Achema.

Mangala had mistimed his run and the pass to his left left him helplessly exposed as Otieno simply tucked it into an empty net as the hosts went 2-1 up in the at the half-hour mark.

Tusker were unrelenting in their pressing play and Otieno was guilty for failing to give them the two-goal cushion after he was found open by former Nzoia man Boniface Muchiri.

Otieno attempted to round the keeper but Mangala’s reflexes were too quick as he dived sharply to his right to thwart his effort.

Asembeka was fuming on the right, gesturing at Otieno in disappointment after feeling ignored and to his defence, getting played in seemed to have been the wiser choice on that occasion.

The momentum was Tusker’s to lose at the break but Nzoia came into the restart revitalised as they pushed for an equaliser.

David Odhiambo nearly made it 2-2 from a tight angle after Rupia had won a free-kick deep into the opposition half but Ochieng did just enough to help it out of play.

Movren Otinya then went close, firing a left-footed drive on goal but it went inches wide.

The brewers had been forced into retreat with most of their men now camping in their own third of the pitch as Nzoia continued to mount the pressure.

Rupia had his chance for the brace when Luke Namanda’s cutting pass out him clear on goal but the striker had wandered offside and he was flagged before he could shoot.

The visitors were at the end unable to utilise their chances as their miserable form rolled on.

At the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, a Noah Wafula double guided hosts Kakamega Homeboyz to a 2-1 win over Vihiga United with Dennis Wafula pulling one for the latter, while at the coast, Anthony Wambani’s goal was enough to hand Bandari a1-0 win over Wazito

 

Summarised Results

Kakamega Homeboyz 2-1 Vihiga United

Bandari 1-0 Wazito United

Nakumatt 0-0 Sony Sugar

Tusker 2-1 Nzoia Sugar

Tags:

Nzoia sugar Timothy Otieno Kenyan Premier League match 2-1 defeat to Tusker Amos Asembeka Ruarak grounds wretched campaign

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