BetKing Premier League top table contenders in a dramatic 2-2 clash
Tusker FC kept their Betking Premier League title hopes alive in a dramatic 2-2 draw with KCB at Thika Stadium yesterday.
The match saw the two opposing goalkeepers, Micheal Wanjala of Tusker and Joseph Okoth of KCB, making a blunders which resulted in a goal for each side.
KCB seemed destined for victory before the Brewers pulled the game out of the fire in the dying minutes.
Two-goal hero Derrick Otanga put KCB ahead in the 17th minute when he cashed on a howler by Wanjala to make a simple tap-in before completing his brace in the 24th minute after latching onto a cut-back cross from Micheal Oduor.
Tusker was livelier towards the end and after failed attempts at KCB goalmouth, Okoth spilled the ball right at the feet of Humphrey Mieno who dutifully slotted in the equaliser for the table-toppers in the 71st minute.
Second half substitute Jackson Macharia then assured Tusker a share of the spoils with the second goal against the run of play.
The result means Tusker continues to cling on the top spot in the chart with 51 points followed by KCB with 47 points with AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia occupying the third and fourth position with 40 points and 39 points respectively.
Tusker were unlucky not to snatch the lead in the third minute when Boniface Muchiri found himself unmarked in the six-yard box but shot into the waiting hands of Wanjala.
KCB had their chance in the 10th minute when Nashon Alembi failed to get into a weighted cross by Micheal Oduor who had eluded his markers.
Earlier at the same venue, Sofapaka restricted hosts Bidco United to a barren draw.
It was Bidco who underlined their dominance early in the match with Eric Gichimu testing Sofapaka goalkeeper Aigba Moubarak with a long range shot in the 11th minute.
Sofapaka then made a retaliatory attack five minutes later when their leading scorer Lawrence Juma was set up by Ambrose Sifuna before sneaking in between fullbacks Geoffrey Gitau and Anthony Simasi with his shot going inches wide.
In the 25th minute, Bidco knocked on Sofapaka’s goalmouth, this time David Gateri being denied by Moubarak from close range.
Following the result, Sofapaka jumped from the 11th position to ninth with 29 points thus dislodging Wazito , while Bidco remain in the 12th slot with a point less.
With the game swinging from one end to the other as minutes lapsed, Juma unleashed a long-range ball on 33 minutes which fell in the path of Timothy Otieno who tried to lob the ball over Bidco glove man Omar Adisa but missed a chance to put Sofapaka ahead.
Sofapaka’s introduction of Amissi Bizimana for Sifuna gave the team an impetus in the attacking line but they could not prise open Bidco defense in which Geoffrey Gitau, the man of the match, was outstanding.
Bidco coach Anthony Akhulia rued failure by his charges’ to conjure up a win at home but nonetheless expressed optimism of the team doing well in the remaining fixtures.
“It was not a fantastic result for us as the home team but I am glad that we fought an experienced side pound for pound.
What was evident was that we missed a litany of scoring chances particularly in the closing stages of the game, but we are still confident of winding up the league in a respectable position.
His Sofapaka counterpart Ken Odhiambo felt getting a point at the dreary hunting ground was a bonus of sorts for his team.
“It was a tactical game of two halves but I am happy we managed to contain the pressure of Bidco who were intent on winning at home,” 1.7 per game.
Among those leaders Mali will look to for goals is Moussa Marega, whose six for Porto in the last Champions League was bettered only by Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski. -AFP
