Kenyan champions Tusker crash out of Africa

Tusker Noah Wanyonyi(L) and Jeremie David of AS Port Louis(Mauritius) battle for ball possession during the 21ST Edition of Total CAF Champions League at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 11/02/17.They draw 1-1.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League after losing 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate) away to Mauritian side AS Port Louis in the return leg tie yesterday.

Tusker went ahead through Ugandan midfielder Hashim Sempala’s first half strike, but Port Louis predator Ephram Guikan capitalised on the Ruaraka-based side’s defensive lapse to hit a brace.

“Initially, we didn’t have any information about Tusker but after the first leg we got to know them. Believe me it will be a totally different game at home,and we are going for nothing short of a win,” those were Port Louis’ coach Sakoor Boodhun words ahead of the return leg.

Kenyans had a lot of hopes in the 11-time KPL champions, but they have failed to go past the preliminary just like their predecessors Gor Mahia, who fell to Madagascar CNaPs last year.

Tusker had to pay the price for poor preparations and first leg capitulation as Port Louis made them look so ordinary after scoring an away goal in Nairobi a week ago.

The result came barely a day after the other Kenyan side Ulinzi Stars sneaked through to the first round of the CAF Confederations Cup after beating Libya’s Al Hilal Benghazi 5-4 on post match penalties at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

The match had ended 1-1 on aggregate after the Soldiers’ cancelled out their 1-0 first leg defeat in Cairo, Egypt.

Just like the first leg, the brewers threw away a first half lead after Sempala had unleashed a powerful shot to break the deadlock. Anthony Ndolo could have doubled the lead just before the interval, but the former KPL player of the year missed a sitter.

However, George Nsimbe’s charges were punished moments later just after Noah Wafula had missed another sitter in the second half.

Ivorian international Ephram Guikan, who snatched an away goal in Nairobi, was at it again capitalising on the brewers’ defensive errors to score a late brace.

Guikan easily tapped home in the 86th minute to level the score after lapse in concentration from the Tusker defence.

Guikan doubled the lead four minutes later with a header to hand the Mauritian side a famous win.

By Ben Ahenda 10 mins ago
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