Nairobi City Stars upset KPL champs Tusker as Sony Sugar hold Sofapaka FC

BY GILBERT WANDERA

Nairobi City Stars upset (KPL) champions Tusker

Nairobi City Stars upset Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker 3-2 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Friday.

That was City Stars first win since the second leg started and also a positive start for new coach Jan Koops.

“My players showed great fighting spirit. They really wanted to win considering that it is a long time since they won,” he said.

To get all three points, City Stars had to come from a goal down after Michael Olunga had put Tusker ahead in the eighth minute after beating Fredrick Majani with a long shot.

Tusker’s lead was short-lived with Bruno Sserunkuma scoring the equaliser in the 26th minute, but this lasted only for one minute as Tusker extended their lead through Khalid Aucho. But the brewers had no answers for goals by John Makwata in the 63rd minute and two-goal hero Sserunkuma in the 75th minute.

Tusker enjoyed more possession in the early minutes and even appeared to having a large share of the few chances created in the first half.  The first real chance for the brewers came after five minutes when Khalid Aucho found himself inside the City Stars danger zone but shot wide.

The Kawangware-based side passed the balls better, giving Tusker problems especially in the midfield where there were too many spaces to move the ball around.

City Stars dangerman Jimmy Bagaye finished the first half on a high after being denied by the wood work. As the second half kicked off,  City Stars brought in  Samuel Ogutu for James Ongwae in a tactical move that gave them more strength in front. It was, however, the brewers who were the first to reach their opponents goal and this they did after six minutes but the effort ended up in a fruitless corner.

But from the one hour mark, City Stars were clearly in charge. Jimmy Bagaye outran Khalid Aucho and brought in a neat cross which was tapped home by John Makwata.

The substitution of Khalid Aucho by Moses Odhiambo due to injury appeared to destroy Tusker’s plans.

Sony Sugar did league leaders Gor Mahia a favour by holding Sofapaka to a barren draw  in the second match at the same venue. The result has slowed down Sofapaka who were hoping to catch up with the league leaders ahead of their fixture against Chemelil at Nyayo Stadium today. Instead, Sofapaka remain in second position on the log with 39 points two behind leaders Gor Mahia.

  Fixtures: Today: Gor Mahia v Chemelil Sugar (Nyayo), Western Stima v Mathare United (Bukhungu), Muhoroni Youth v Kakamega Homeboyz (Muhoroni), Thika United v Bandari (Thika). Tomorrow: Homeboyz v Ulinzi Stars (Bukhungu) and AFC Leopards v KCB (Nyayo). ([e-mail])