Brewers storm to league victory after a long and tortuous season complicated by Coronavirus pandemic
It was a moment to remember as Tusker won their maiden Football Kenya Federation Premier League title and their 12th league title after a hard fought 2-1 win Sunday against Bidco United.
Tusker will now represent the CAF Champions League after the magnificent feat.
“I am happy because this is history for me individually since this is my third title. We began the league poorly but here we are after some good runs and corrections.
I am proud and happy for the boys,” said Tusker coach Robert Matano, who has won the title previously with Sofapaka and twice now with Tusker.
Captain Eugene Asike who lifted the trophy was also part of the winning group in 2016.
“It is a special moment for all of us and myself particularly. We have worked hard this year and we are deserving champions.
We were hungry as a team and this was driven by coach Matano who has a winning mentality. Now we rest a bit and recharge before the new season and the CAF competitions,” said Asike.
Goals from Rogers Aloro and Henry Meja were enough to give the Breweries the bragging rights with 65 points in the bag.
Challengers KCB were not as lucky despite their 3-0 win over Nairobi City Stars to finish the campaign on 62 points.
The Brewers began the first half a bit nervous allowing Bidco to settle in faster.
The Thika-based side had good play in the middle of the park particularly from Captain Peter Nzuki and Jacob Onyango.
On the flanks, speedy Alex Juma was causing all manner of problems but the only undoing for Anthony Akhulia’s side was a blunt attack and wasted balls.
However, Tusker got into the groove with quick passing and stabilised midfield with Apollo Otieno, Humphrey Mieno and Jackson Macharia running the show for the final 25 minutes of the half.
Luke Namanda and Boniface Muchiri were lively on the wings and were duly helped by loose wing-backs Sammy Miseh and youngster Jimmy Mbugua.
The opening goal of Tusker in the 24th minute came against the run of play following a foul and the lively Muchiri after a good tee from the veteran Mieno down in the penalty box with no-nonsense referee Andrew Ongwayo pointing for a spot-kick.
Experienced Rogers Aloro came slotted in his third of the season with ease and poise to send the players and fans to raptures.
Celebratory mood
Tusker pressed further and forced the opposing defenders to make lots of unforced errors on their territory.
Eight minutes later, a loose ball from David Kalama found Henry Meja in space to fire home the second past a hapless Bidco goalkeeper Brian Opondo as the Brewers went into celebratory mood at the break smelling the title.
George Ogutu and Humphrey Mieno are currently the only two players in recent times to have won two titles with two different teams in the space of three years.
Meanwhile Boniface Ambani’s 2006 record of scoring 26 goals in a single premiership season remains unscathed 15 years later despite a close call this campaign by Kariobangi Sharks hotshot striker Eric Kapaito.
The Kenyan international ended the 2020-21 campaign on 24 goals after 34 matches in what has been a stellar season for the 2018 League Most Valuable Player.
