NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 12 – Tusker FC scored two second half goals a minute apart as they beat Ulinzi Stars 2-0 at the Ruaraka Complex on Saturday to pick their third successive win with a fifth clean sheet in a row.
Jackson Macharia and Shami Mwinyi, both second half substitutes had the goals for the Brewers who moved to sixth in the standings with 29 points, just two shy away from second placed Kariobangi Sharks.
In other results from Saturday’s matches, leaders Kakamega Homeboyz 3-1 at the Kasarani Annex while Bandari and KCB played to a barren draw.
In Thika, home side Bidco United suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of FC Talanta while at the Utalii Complex, Sofapaka FC beat 10-man Wazito 2-1.
At the Ruaraka Complex,
Tusker were coming into the tie beaming with confidence after back to back wins over Bandari FC. However, they were slow starters with the visitors commanding much of the possession.
Mark Bikokwa asked the first questions as early as the second minute when he found space from the edge of the area but his shot was always rising. Bikokwa had been a handful for the Ulinzi backline for most of the opening exchanges.
Tusker’s early chances came off John Njuguna whose shot from the right was deflected straight into James Saruni’s arms while Clyde Senaji also shot straight to the keeper after a good drive from the midfield.
Ulinzi had a glorious chance to break the deadlock after half an hour, but saw the chance go to waste. Keeper Patrick Matasi spilled a freekick from Daniel Waweru and the ball was volleyed back into the area. However, defender Kevin Ouma headed the ball over with a gaping goalmouth.
The home side didn’t create much with Tanzanian forward Joshua Ibrahim twice striking from range, but none of his shots troubled the keeper.
Seeing that his side was struggling to keep possession, coach Robert Matano re-jigged his side with three changes. David Majak was pulled out for Macharia, Shami was brought on board for Njuguna while Humphrey Mieno also came in for Rodgers Ouma.
The changes proved a masterstroke as Tusker got into the lead in the 64th minute.Macharia picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch before driving to the edge of the box and shooting low into the net.
A minute later, Shami had his goal with another deft move. The former Kakamega Homeboyz man dummied past three defenders leaving them floored before shooting into the net.
The soldiers were hounded into forcing things to work as they hounded balls upfield seeking to use the height advantage of Oscar Wamalwa uptop. But, the Tusker backline which had kept four consecutive clean sheets dealt with the danger.
Masita Masuta who had come on as a sub tried to beat Matasi with a long range effort, but his flying shot was well gathered by the Kenyan international.
