Hashim Sempala salutes goal scorer Clifford Alwanga.PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21- Tusker FC reclaimed their seven point lead at the top of the Kenyan Premier League table after a narrow 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Sunday.
Danson Kago struck the winner in the second half as Tusker eased to a relatively comfortable gap, though second placed champions Gor Mahia have a game in hand.
In the late kick-off, AFC Leopards played to a barren draw against relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars, a point that will be most valuable to the Kawangware based side perched bottom of the log.
The point reduces the gap between them and 15th placed Sofapaka to just a point, with the latter having lost by a solitary goal to Posta Rangers at the Ruaraka Complex in Nairobi.
The two results give Ken Kenyatta and his Ushuru side a sigh of relief with the gap between them and the relegation places remaining seven points.
Sofapaka would have cut it to four points, but they fell to a Timothy Otieno first half goal with the striker returning from a three month injury lay off.
But while Sofapaka, City Stars and Ushuru put up their tact to avoid the chop, Tusker may be as well putting their tact on point to ensure a smooth sailing to an 11th league title.
Against Homeboyz, they were a far cry from their best and struggled to threaten Homeboyz keeper John Waw save for set pieces and cross balls which were easily dealt with.
The league leaders had their opening opportunity in the eighth minute of the match when Owusu headed across the face of goal from a well weighted Antony Ndolo cross with Andrew Kulecho clearing the mess for a corner.
It was Homeboyz who had the chunk of chances and former Tusker striker Andrew Murunga was guilty of missing all of them.
In the 16th minute he attempted a shot from the outside of his foot that went awry after the ball graciously ricocheted on his path after Osborne Monday blocked as he attempted to pick out Ali Bhai on the far right.
Ten minutes later, he dribbled into the box from the right but his attempt at beating Tusker custodian David Okello from the tightest of angles proved futile.
At the start of the second half, Tusker woke from their slumber and in the 65th minute, Kago’s low drive sent them ahead before they were however reduced to ten men after George Mandela got his matching orders for a second bookable offense.
