Muchiri's lone goal saves the Brewers

Tusker's Allan Wanga (left) in action against Donald Musoti of Nakumatt during yesterday's match in Nairobi.[Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Boniface Muchiri came off the bench to score the winner as deposed Tusker beat Nakumatt 1-0 in yesterday’s Kenyan Premier League match at Ruaraka grounds.

This was Francis Barasa’s second win in a row since succeeding George Nsimbe as the brewers’ coach on a temporary basis a few days ago.

The victory saw Tusker leapfrog Kakamega Homeboyz into the third position with 45 points, 17 points behind runaway league leaders Gor Mahia.

“It is a great feeling to win two matches in a row. But it is not yet over as our target is to finish in the top three. So, we are going to treat each of our remaining matches like a final. I am so proud of my players,” a jubilant Barasa told The Standard Sports.

After a barren first half, Barasa brought in Muchiri for Noah Wafula and his tactical change paid off as the former Sony Sugar man volleyed home in the 77th minute.

Tusker started off the brighter side with Noah Wafula forcing a fine save from Nakumatt goalkeeper Ezekiel Owade in the ninth minute.

However, they had to make an early substitution in the 18th minute after midfielder Jackson Macharia collided with his opponent.

Allan Wanga then saw his feeble header easily gathered by Owade before Joshua Oyoo wasted a glorious chance on the other end.

Moments later, Nakumatt keeper parried away Humphrey Mieno’s free kick at the edge of the box before his glancing header went wide over the bar.

In the 39th minute Eugene Asike delivered a fine free kick, but Allan Wanga misguided his header before Brian Osumba’s shot went wide as the brewers intensified their raids on Nakumatt’s defence. Nakumatt were awarded a free kick in the 55th minute, but Peter Nzuki’s effort missed the target by inches before Wafula headed directly into the keeper’s hands. Boniface Akenga’s shot was then saved by Tusker goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng before Asike brilliantly stopped Oyoo’s dangerous cross in the area.

Kepha Aswani could have put Nakumatt ahead in the 65th minute but his powerful long range shot was blocked by Lloyd Wahome.

In the 70th minute, Mieno beat the shoppers’ offside trap but failed to put the ball into an empty net with the keeper already off his line.

But with less than 13 minutes to go, Muchiri latched on to a loose ball in Nakumatt’s box and easily beat the keeper with a volley. Nakumatt responded immediately, but the Tusker custodian pulled off a superb save from Nzuki’s attempt.