NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 16 – Brian Marita and Henry Meja netted a brace each as 10-man Tusker FC saw off Kariobangi Sharks 4-2 in a Football Kenya Federation Betking Premier League thriller played at the Kasarani Annex on Saturday.
In other results, William Wadri and Abdalla Hassan scored twice each as 10-man Bandari FC edged out Kakamega Homeboyz 4-3 at the Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa, Nairobi City Stars shared a 1-1 draw with Uinzi Stars while Nzoia Sugar stunned Sofapaka 2-1.
At the Kasarani Annex, Tusker FC ensured the Robert Matano side picked up a second successive win and maintain their second spot on the log with 17 points, one behind leaders KCB FC who have two matches in hand.
After a quarter hour of playing, Tusker FC was forced to make an early substitution after first choice goalkeeper Robert Mboya walked off after picking an arm injury to pave way for Mike Wangala for his debut.
Photo/TUSKER FC TWITTER
The injury did not in any way deter the Brewers from opening their account through Marita who glanced a Rogers Aloro free-kick in the 26th minute for an early lead.
The Robert Matano coached side went two goals up after Kevin Monyi was hacked down inside the box, to hand an opportunity for Meja to convert the spot-kick but three minutes later goal poacher Eric Kapaito pulled one back for the Sharks.
The Brewers restored their two-goal lead five minutes to the break thanks to Marita who volleyed home Meja’s cross to complete his brace and hand Tusker a comfortable e 3-1 lead at the break.
The second half had a lot of drama, first seeing Wangala save Sharks’ penalty twice after it was retaken before Aloro was shown a straight red card.
In the 57th minute, Tusker stretched their lead despite being a man down after Namanda found Meja, who danced past a defender to place the ball far right corner to grab his brace and give Tusker fourth goal.
Sharks, who have had a good run in the league scored a second goal in the 80th minute courtesy of Kapaito for his brace from a long throw. The result left Sharks on third place in the standing with 15 points.
