FKF-PL: Ugandan striker Ojok bags hat trick as Tusker thrash City Stars

Tusker striker Deogratious Ojok (center) celebrates with team mates after scoring the winning goal against Nzoia Sugar. [Courtesy-Tusker FC]

Ugandan forward Deogratious Ojok scored a hat trick as defending champions Tusker came from behind to thrash Nairobi City Stars 4-1 in a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League clash staged at the Ruaraka Grounds on Sunday.

City Stars who lost 2-0 to Bidco United in their season opener last week took a three-minute lead after Samuel Kapen rose high to head home a corner kick floated in by Herit Mungai.

The lead lasted only four minutes as Ojok capitalized on the visitors' defensive lapses to tap home and equalize 1-1.

The Ugandan striker found himself unmarked again in the 39th minute as he put the brewers 2-1 up after converting Lawrence Luvanda's low cross.

Ojok completed his hat trick at the hour mark to take the score to 3-1. In the process, the Ugandan international became the first player to score three goals in the 2022-2023 FKF Premier League season.

Super sub-Jackson Macharia put the icing on the cake after sealing Tusker's win in the 89th minute to hand City Stars their second defeat of the season.

The win movers Tusker to the top of the Premier League standings on six points and a superior goal difference of four goals, two more than Gor Mahia who also have six points.

Speaking after the match, Tusker's coach Robert Matano said he was pleased with how his players reacted after conceding early in the match.

"Our kickoff was poor after going behind early into the match. That is unacceptable but am happy with the boys' resilience because they did not give up and fought their way to the win," said Matano.