Tusker FC striker Allan Wanga celebrates after scoring Tusker’s third goal. PHOTO/TIMOTHY OLOBULU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26- Kenyan Premier League Leaders Tusker FC beat third tier side Zetech University 3-0 to easily advance to the GOtv Shield quarter finals and keep alive their hopes of achieving a double this season.
The brewers currently lead the KPL log with a seven point gap between them and second placed Gor Mahia, but head coach Paul Nkata is tight lipped on whether or not the side will go for the kill.
“It is a possibility, yes, but it is still very early to tell. We are working each game at a time and maybe with two or three games remaining we can say whether we will get it or not,” the Ugandan tactician told Capital Sport after the match.
His side made minced meat of Zetech, scoring three unanswered first half goals through Ekaliani Ndolo, Danson Kago and Allan Wanga and turning the second half into more or less a practice session.
“I am very pleased with the win. People may say it was an easy match, but it was not. This team is very strong,” Nkata offered.
His opposite number Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo, a former player and coach at Tusker was gracious in defeat and said his boys have learnt a myriad of lessons from the loss.
“For us, we take this positively. Tusker are in good form, leading the KPL log and we told ourselves that we are coming here to do our best. I can’t blame my players because we gave a good account of ourselves. We made errors, but we can’t learn in any other way other than making mistakes,” Omollo offered.
Ndolo opened the scores in the ninth minute with a simple finish after Wanga dispossessed the keeper, squaring the ball back to his teammate for an easy finish.
Tusker FC striker Allan Wanga puts pressure on a Zetech FC player. PHOTO/TIMOTHY OLOBULU
This had come just three minutes after Martin Musalia, the Tusker keeper on the opposite end made a similar mistake but he was lucky Isaac Njau’s block went over the bar.
Tusker kept their momentum and they doubled their lead in the 25th minute, Kago tapping the ball home from close range after the Zetech defence failed to clear Shafik Batambuze’s corner.
Four minutes later, Wanga made it 3-0 with a thunderbolt after picking up a deep pass from Hashim Ssempala slamming the ball beyond Zetech custodian Simon Imbachale.
He could have doubled his tally a minute later but his diving header from a Danson Kago cross went over.
In the second half, Nkata had the prestige to make three changes at a go, Humphrey Mieno making a return to the team after a month out with injury coming in for Cersidy Lumumba. Luis Misiko and Clifford Alwanga also came on for Robert Omunuk and Ndolo respectively.
Zetech upped the tempo with Tusker relaxing and they twice came close with former AFC Leopards midfielder Kabemba Mata and Charles Odinga having shots go wide.
Isaac Njau who was later awarded as man of the match for his industrious displays forced Musalia to a superb save in the 70th minute with a volley on the half turn from the edge of the box.
Antonio Abwao had a late chance after dribbling into the box but his shot once again forced a spectacular save off Musalia.
