Nzoia Sugar stun 10-man City Stars to revive title dreams

Nzoia Sugar FC players celebrates scoring against Nairobi City Stars FC during their FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Annex on June 03.[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Nzoia Sugar revived their Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title hopes on Saturday after edging out 10-man Nairobi City Stars 3-2 in a five-goal thriller match played at Kasarani Annex which hosted a double header.

Sije Yasin scored a brace with Hassan Beja also getting in the score sheet in Nzoia's 18^th win of the season.

Denis Oalo gave the hosts a three-minute lead before Hassan Beja's strike in the 35^th minute left the game tied 1-1 at the break.

In the final half, Yasin struck seven minutes after the restart to give Nzoia a 2-1 lead before City Stars were reduced to 10 men after Vincent Owino was shown a straight red-card in the 58^th minute.

With the numerical advantage, Nzoia stretched their lead to 3-1 as Yasin grabbed his brace in the 73^rd minute. A late goal by Kelvin Etemesi for City Stars deep into stoppage time did little to harm the sugar men's lead.

The win moved Salim Babu's charges to within two points of leaders Tusker and a point behind second placed Gor Mahia. Tusker take on Wazito today in Muhoroni as Gor face Ulinzi Stars.

In the early kick-off match, FC Talanta came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Kariobangi Sharks.

Shariff Musa and Tyson Otieno gave Sharks a 2-0 after scoring in the 53^rd and 65^th minutes before Talanta rallied with two goals in the last 10 minutes by Victor Ochieng and Enock Machaka to secure a point.