TUSKER INCH CLOSER: KPL leaders sink Bandari as Chemelil Sugar tax Ushuru

Tusker FC players celebrates Stephen Owuso's (centre) lone goal as they played against hosts Bandari FC at the Mbaraki Sports, October 15, 2016. Hosts Bandari Fc were beaten 1-0. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Tusker moved closer to being crowned this year’s Kenyan Premier League champions after they beat Bandari 1-0 at Mbaraki Sports Club yesterday.

The win pushed Tusker to 51 points which is a seven-point cushion to champions Gor Mahia who are not on KPL duty this weekend as they face Muhoroni Youth in the Top 8 final today.

Stephen Owusu headed home the all-important goal in the 85th minute for Tusker who seemed headed for a draw after squandering a number of chances.
Bandari were under pressure from the first whistle, which forced them to adopt a defensive system of play to put Tusker’s lethal strikers at bay.

The dockers should thank their man between the posts Wilson Oburu who kept out the brewers for most part of the game.

The custodian had been sidelined for several months with an injury and his return yesterday was a blessing as he thwarted Allan Wanga, Noah Wafula and George Mandela.

Bandari came close to scoring in the 26th minute through Shaban Kenga, but his shot was firmly held by custodian David Okello. Tusker’s well-executed shot by Humphrey Mieno flew over the bar in the 37th minute.

Coach Ken Odhiambo rested Omar Boraafya for Dan Sserenkuma in the 41st minute as the scores stood at 0-0 at the end of the first half.

The second half was evenly balanced and Sserenkuma could have surged Bandari ahead in the 58th minute but he failed to tap in Kenga’s pass.

As the pressure mounted for the dockers and the seat becoming too hot for Odhiambo, Wanga’s header missed the target by inches.

Tusker’s moment came in the 85th minute when Owusu’s first touch beat Oburu after he met a cross from Osborne Monday.

Meanwhile, Jared Obwoge’s first half brace is all that Chemelil Sugar needed to beat hosts Ushuru 2-1 at the Kasarani Stadium yesterday.

The former Gor Mahia goal-poacher capitalised on the taxmen’s defensive blunder to break the deadlock in the 14th minute before doubling the lead eight minutes later.

Gambian striker Ebrinah Sanneh pulled a goal back for the Ken Kenyatta’s side midway through second half before Tony Nyangor’s effort in the injury time missed target by inches.

In other matches, Kakamega Homeboyz held Posta Rangers to a barren draw at Ruaraka Grounds as Sony Sugar beat Sofapaka by a solitary goal in Awendo.