Tusker beat Zoo, move to fifth as Rangers outclass Ulinzi

Boniface Muchiri’s lone strike earned Tusker a 1-0 win over Zoo Kericho at the Ruaraka grounds on Sunday afternoon.

The midfielder netted a 65th minute goal, accurately slotting the ball just outside the box to give Tusker the lead and wrap all the points for the host.

The win hoisted the brewers to position five on the log with 39 points whilst Zoo sit on 13th on 32 points.

At the Bukhungu Stadium, Posta Rangers grabbed a narrow 1-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars courtesy of a Cavin Odongo’s 32nd minute goal to take Posta’s points to 34, sitting 10th on the log. The defeat saw the soldiers record a third loss in their last five outing leaving them on 6th spot with 38 points.

Elsewhere, at the Mumias Sports Complex, Vihiga United played to a 1-1 draw with Kakamega Homeboyz, both goals coming in the second half for either side.

Vihiga have now collected 27 points and lie 16th on the league standings and will next face Thika United whilst Homeboyz are five places above on 34 points, their next fixture against Wazito.

At Ruaraka, the poor  state of the pitch did little to aid the game as Michael Madoya twice missed the ball in the 5th and 16th minutes as he was lining up a shot.

The brewers striker, David Juma, on the other end, could not punish Zoo for a defensive error as he failed to control the ball with his first touch allowing them to clear their lines.

Tusker coach Robert Matano was barking instructions to his squad, repeatedly calling on Timothy Otieno who appeared to be unsure of his game,  his indecision making him fire his attempt wide.

The best chance of the first-half for the hosts came in the 29th minute from Boniface Muchiri whose precise free-kick was tipped over the bar and a Brian Osumba’s header went over from the resulting corner.

In the 36th, Zoo goalie Martin Elung’at had to recover quickly to keep Jackson Macharia at bay after snatching the ball from latter who was looking to get at the end of Otieno’s cross.

Zoo Kericho produced good spells but without a meaningful effort on Patrick Matasi’s goal.

Tusker dominated the restart , Jackson Macharia twice in front of goal but on both occasions couldn’t find the finishing touch.

Their urgency eventually paid off  in the 65th minute through Muchir’s  long range low shot that went past Elung’at in Zoo’s goal.

Summarised Scores

Tusker 1-0  Zoo

Posta Rangers 1-0 Ulinzi Stars

Vihiga United 1-1 Kakamega Homeboyz