Tusker beat Thika United in post-match penalties to lift Top 8 Cup

By Rodgers Eshitemi and Ben Ahenda

Kenyan Premier League Champs Tusker drubbed Thika United 5-3 on post match penalties to clinch the KPL Top Eight Cup at the City Stadium Wednesday.

The match had ended with a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time. The brewers custodian Samuel Odhiambo saved Ezekiel Odera’s penalty kick to secure his side’s first silverware this season and ease pressure on coach Robert Matano.

Ismael Dunga was the hero of the day striking a hat-trick (two penalties) with goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo, Ali Abondo, Collins Okoth and Khalid Aucho scoring the other four penalties for the Ruaraka-base side.

Thika’s penalties were netted by Vincent Omumbo, Sammy Meja and Simon Mbugua.

The match started on high note with both sides playing cautiously, but it’s the milkmen who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through flamboyant attacking midfielder Kenga King’atua after he received a neat pass from Harambee Stars midfielder Francis Kahata.

However, their celebrations were cut short in the 20th minute Vincent Omumbo handled the ball in the danger area with Dunga leveling the score from the resulting penalty by sending goalkeeper Lucas Indeche in the wrong direction. The first half ended 1-1.

On resumption, after the hour mark, Dunga capitalised on defensive error in Thika United to chip the ball past advancing Indeche and put Matano’s boys on the lead.

The game was heading Tusker’s way, but with ten minute to the stoppage time, the stadium was brought down after Kenga scored his second goal of the match, tapping in Meja’s home pass from the left for the match to go into extra time.

But even after the extra 30 minutes added time, neither Tusker nor Thika could score in field of play forcing it to be decided on penalties.

In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars gave it their all before edging out stubborn Chemelil Sugar 1-0 in a scrappy Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru yesterday.

The match, which was played on a rain-drenched pitch, saw both teams waste several opportunities before striker and captain Evans Amuoka netted the all-important goal in injury time, just seconds before the whistle.

Amuoka picked an accurate long pass from Kevin Amwayi before beating Chemelil custodian Jairus Adira with a tricky shot.

Ulinzi should count themselves lucky for escaping with the maximum points after the sugar millers raided their territory at will in the first quarter of the second half. However, poor finishing was their main undoing.

The soldiers have to thank their hawk-eyed goalkeeper James Saruni for holding firm between the posts as he thwarted efforts by Chemelil in their search for the opener.

Danger man Anthony Opondo was the man who kept Saruni busy from the left flank. He had what looked like a goal in the 51st minute but the blockbuster went directly into the welcoming hands of the Ulinzi custodian.

Second half substitute John Wakanya saw his powerful volley hit the woodwork in the 62nd minute.

Although they gave as much as they got, Ulinzi Stars should thank defenders Kevin Ouma in partnership with Mohammed Hassan for frustrating the Chemelil strikers’ efforts.

Chemelil coach Mike Mururi blamed his team’s defeat on poor finishing.