Taxmen hit bank: Top Fry hit by Thika, KRA pip KCB, Tusker rout Stima as Chemelil win

BY FEVERPITCH TEAM

KCB’s Bethwel Marambo (left) and Geoffrey Omusula of KRA fight for ball possession during their KPL match at Nyayo National Stadium, yesterday.  [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO / STANDARD]

Tusker staged a frothing comeback, coming from a goal down to hit Western Stima 3-1 at Nyayo Stadium yesterday.

In an earlier match, new  comers KRA upset KCB 1-0, a result that enabled them pick their first maximum points of the season.

Stima went ahead in the 50th minute after John Kiplangat put them ahead when he tapped home after Samuel Odhiambo in the Tusker goal spilled the ball into play.

Coach Francis Kimanzi made a tactical substitution, resting Robert Omunuk for Jesse Were, a move that brought instant results.

Were opened his account  for Tusker at the hour mark, placing the ball into an empty net after being picked out by Osborne Monday.

Five minutes later, Kevin Kimani slotted home the second goal for Tusker after his  shot was deflected by a Western Stima defender.

Osborne Monday then wrapped up the score in the 70th minute after Stima defenders had lost the ball.

The win gives Tusker their first three points of the season after they drew 1-1 with Thika United last weekend.

In the first match, Liberian striker  Roosevelt Blaty scored the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute to give his side maximum points.

The league’s newcomers should have notched more goals as they dominated huge chunks of the match.

Samuel  Okinda, in the KCB goal, was a busy man right from kick off. Blaty should have put the taxmen ahead as early as the second minute with a hard shot which Okinda put out for a fruitless corner.

Then Chaka’s rasping shot in the sixth minute  should have counted for the bankers but Philip Odhiambo in the KRA goal had it well covered.

The bankers preferred to shot from outside and here former Gor Mahia striker Paul Kiongera proved very dangerous in setting up his colleagues.

Chemelil Sugar beat Muhoroni Youth 2-1 in a fast-paced derby at Chemelil Sports Complex whose  suspension was lifted by Kenya Premier League (KPL) Stadia Safety Management Board.

Chemelil Sugar’s John Mwita missed a scoring opportunity in the fifth minute after his blistering shot hit the crossbar as scores of home fans stood up in celebration.

Muhoroni Youth counter-attacked ferociously and took the lead at the stroke of recess through a free kick by Ezekiel Otuoma.

After the break, Chemelil Sugar continued dominating the proceedings.

Chemelil Sugar’s efforts paid off with James Omino ‘Taller’ levelling the scores in the 68th minute after a free kick by Willice Ouma.

The millers’ Ugandan signing Nyanzi scored the all-important goal in the 72nd minute past Muhoroni Youth custodian Daniel Kiptoo after latching on  to a cross by  second-half substitute and  new signing Innocent Wafula.

In Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium, home side and debutants, Top Fry Nakuru All Stars lost to visiting Thika United 1-0.

The lone goal was scored by Michael Olunga in the 50th minute.

— Reports by Gilbert Wandera, Bosco Magare, Boniface Thuku