Tusker edge Ulinzi Stars as KPL’s Bandari clear KCB vault while Moyas hold Shabana in the FKF Premier League

TUSKER VS ULINZI
Tusker FC's Humfrey Mieno, left, guard ball from Ulinzi's Brian Birgen during KPL Match at Ruaraka grounds on Wednesday, March 25th, 2015. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO.

Tusker yesterday bounced back from their weekend loss to stun Ulinzi Stars 2-1 at the Ruaraka Grounds in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

At Kasarani Stadium, Shabana and Moyas drew 1-1 in an FKF Premier League match.

Ulinzi controlled the game from the start, with some high-intensity passing, stretching Tusker’s back-line, but their strikers were wasteful in front of goal.

Aboud Omar opened the scoring for the hosts in the 34th minute after connecting well from to a pass from Jockins Atudo to beat Ulinzi’s goalkeeper James Saruni.

Lloyd Wahome could have doubled the score for Tusker, but missed Osborne Monday’s free-kick before Brian Osumba squandered a precious scoring opportunity. Tusker captain Jesse Were came alive after the break, tapping in Kevin Kimani’s cross in the 46th minute.

Ulinzi responded immediately with Makwatta forcing a fine save from Tusker’s goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo.

A few moments later, Were could have netted his second goal of the day, but was unlucky as his shot bounced off target.

Substitute Oscar Wamalwa capitalised on a defensive blunder in injury time to score Ulinzi’s consolation goal.

And after the match, a furious Ulinzi coach Robert Matano blasted his strikers for the defeat.

“Lack of a finishing touch cost us. We created many chances, but we were shy in the final third. But when Oscar (Wamalwa) came in he scored. Based on his performance I will give him a starting chance in the upcoming matches,” said Matano.

Despite registering his first win of the season, Tusker Coach Francis Kimanzi said he was not satisfied with the performance.

“We are satisfied with results, but not performance,” said Kimanzi.

At Mombasa County Stadium, hosts Bandari came from a goal down to beat KCB 3-1. KCB scored first in the 20th minute when Raymond Murugi headed home Ronald Mosani’s cross. Bandari responded through David Kingatua (31 minutes), George Abege (39), and Juma Masoud (90).

At Nyayo Stadium, Mathare United and Chemelil Sugar played to a 1-1 draw. United went ahead in the 22nd minute when Eric Mata headed home the opener from a corner kick taken by Eric Johanna.

Chemelil Sugar piled pressure on their hosts and it paid dividends two minutes to the breather, as Collins Kisuya unleashed a fierce free kick that beat Robert Mboya in goal.

In other results, Western Stima edged out City Stars 2-1 in Kisumu while Ushuru settled for a barren draw with Thika United at City Stadium.

— Compiled by Gilbert Wandera, Ernest Ndunda and Rodgers Eshitemi