NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 20 – Goalkeeper Michael Wanjala came off the bench to once again make a penalty save against Kariobangi Sharks as Tusker FC bounced back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory at the Utalii Complex to remain in leaders KCB’s neck.
Wanjala saved Douglas Mokaya’s second half penalty just after Chris Ochieng had scored a fantastic header for the brewers.
It was the same script as when the two sides clashed in the first leg.
Wanjala came off the bench after Robert Mboya went off and stepped up to make a crucial save for the brewers to preserve maximum points.
Tusker moved to within a point of leaders KCB who won via the same margin against Mathare United yesterday.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia moved above arch rivals AFC Leopards to third after also picking a 1-0 victory over Sofapaka at the Thika Stadium.
Jules Ukimwengu scored the solo goal for Gor in the 75th minute when he looped the ball over keeper Kevin Omondi after racing on to a brilliant Kenneth Muguna pass.
Meanwhile in Nairobi, pressure was on Tusker to pick three points especially after KCB had won on Saturday to open up a four point gap.
From the onset, it was clear that the 11-time champions were going for the kill, but were hoping it wasn’t a case of missed chances as it was against Posta Rangers in midweek.
Inside the opening minute, Henry Meja had already made keeper Brandon Obiero work with a a shot from inside the box while five minutes later, the keeper once again had to be alert to keep out a well struck volley from Luke Namanda.
It was all Tusker in the opening minutes and on the half hour mark, Obiero once again denied Tusker. A quick change of passes saw Meja put Muchiri through on goal with the striker’s shot being palmed away by the keeper once again.
Three minutes to the break, Tusker were denied again, this time by the crossbar when Meja’s rifled volley from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection but landed on the crossbar.
After the break, Sharks came off the better side and Wanjala made a good save five minutes in when he rose high to tip over a looped effort from Fredrick Alushula.
Sharks forced Tusker to play on the backfoot, but they couldn’t crack the backline to get a goal.
They found themselves trailing in the 62nd minute. It was a brilliant team goal by the brewers that involved a total of 22 passes, ending up in substitute Eric Zakayo laying the ball for Sammy Meja to curl into the box and Onyango head home.
Tusker thought they had their nerves calmed, but saw a penalty conceded. They however breathed a collective sigh of relief when Wanjala saved the penalty.
Having dodged the bullet and Sharks raiding the backline, coach Matano made changes, refreshing his midfield with Mieno and Ominde coming off for Apollo Otieno and Hashim Sempala, a move to seal off the game.
