BY GILBERT WANDERA
Tusker picked their second Kenyan Premier League (KPL) win after stopping Nairobi City Stars 1-0 at the Nairobi City Stadium yesterday.
Yesterday’s win comes just four days after the league champions stopped Western Stima 1-0 in Nakuru, sending coach Robert Matano into delirium.
“We have come a long way from struggling to play for draws. We have now started winning and this is good for the team and our title ambitions.
“Our players came into the match determined and hungry for victory and they played with their hearts out,” he said after the match.
Matano also paid tribute to their opponents who nearly equalised in the last quarter of the match.
Towering defender Joseph Shikokoti scored the only goal in the 70th minute jumping to head home a Collins Okoth corner kick.
The first half of this match was lacked clear-cut chances with just a couple of opportunities created by both sides. City Stars had their first chance to open the scores in the 22nd minute. Ugandan import Jimmy Bageya broke lose but his goal bound shot was blocked for a fruitless corner.
One minute later Dennis Wise had his goal-bound header saved by Odhiambo as the Kawangware side fought hard for victory.
Tusker midfielder Collins Okoth picked out Ismail Dunga with a clinical cross in the 28th minute, but the latter failed to score. A minute later, the brewers earned a corner kick after pressure initiated by Okoth was neutralised by the City Stars back-line.
The match was dull until the one hour mark with both sides giving as much as they received. Tusker rested Dunga for Keneth Wendo, giving them more power upfront but it was City Stars who should have been ahead in the 61st minute. From a move initiated by Bageye, Dennis Okoth found himself inside the Tusker box, but his shot was deflected for a corner.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia coach Zradvko Logarusic says the club is on the right track despite concern over their performance in the KPL. Gor drew last Sunday’s fixture, being held to a barren draw by Homeboyz at Mumias Complex.
The coach said there is nothing to worry about since they have done better at this stage compared to last year.
“Last year at this time, we had less than 10 points. Now we have 11 with two matches at hand compared to our opponents. We may not be where we want to be but we are on track and there is no reason to worry,” he said.
Logarusic said the team have been hit by injuries on key players, the latest being midfielder Teddy Akumu who did not train on Tuesday after picking an injury at Mumias Complex.
“We have been creating many chances and I would be worried if this were not happening. It is a fact that we have not been able to convert this chances because most of our top strikers are injured.
“Moses Odhiambo, Edwin Lavatsa, Paul Kiongera and Innocent Mutiso are injured. Midfielder Teddy Akumu is not training after picking a knock and we don’t know how long he will be out.”
