NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 – Shami Kibwana scored what would be the winning goal from the penalty spot after Ibrahim Joshua had cancelled out Samuel Ndung’u’s early opener as FKF Premier League champions Tusker FC bounced back from a goal down to beat Kenya Police 2-1 at the Kasarani Annex on Wednesday.
Police had a dream start, Ndung’u heading the ball home in the second minute of the game but Tusker responded swiftly, scoring twice for a halftime lead that they preserved till the end.
This is the second consecutive victory for the brewers who began their season on a low with back to back losses and have now picked confidence and momentum.
Tusker FC’s Jimmy Mbugua chases down Kenya Police’s Erick Kipkirui during their FKF Premier League match at the Kasarani Annex on November 3, 2021. PHOTO’Timothy Olobulu
On the backdrop of last weekend’s victory over Wazito FC, the brewers were looking to pick a second consecutive victory to put their campaign properly on track.
But they were set back as early as the second minute, even before coach Robert Matano could comfortably get to his seat.
Straight from the kick off, Police won a corner and Clifton Miheso swung in. Ndung’u managed to shake off from his marker and sneak in a header beyond keeper Brian Bwire.
But Tusker sought to get their gears back into the game and just three minutes later they were on level terms.
The defending champions swung possession back in their favour, turning defense into offense quick. Rodgers Ouma won the ball deep in their own half before sending Shami Kibwana through.
Tusker FC’s Boniface Muchiri vies for the ball with a Kenya Police opponent during their FKF Premier League match at the Kasarani Annex on November 3, 2021. PHOTO’Timothy Olobulu
The former Kakamega Homeboyz man slapped in a low cross from the right and Tanzanian forward Ibrahim Joshua arrived in time to tap the ball home.
Tusker kept their press on and they thought they had scored a second when Joshua had the ball inside the net in the 27th minute off a corner, but the referee surprisingly blew her whistle for a foul after the Police keeper collided with his own defender.
Nonetheless, the brewers increased the pressure and were rewarded for a second goal six minutes to the break when Boniface Muchiri was brought down inside the box.
Up stepped Shami Kibwana and the midfielder dispatched his penalty with utmost ease, scoring his second goal in as many matches.
Police almost equalized a minute to halftime when Miheso took on a snap shot on the volley from 25 yards out, but keeper Bwire made a fantastic save springing to his left to parry the ball away for a corner.
Police FC skipper Musa Mohammed passes the ball under pressure from Tusker’s Jackson Macharia during their FKF Premier League match at the Kasarani Annex on November 3, 2021. PHOTO’Timothy Olobulu
In the second half, Police made changes, bringing in striker John Mark Makwatta to bring life to their forward line.
Makwatta almost made an immediate impact when he took on a shot from the right but it went narrowly wide with Bwire having his area well covered.
Police kept the pressure and forced Tusker to play on the back foot. Tusker also made changes, Jackson Macharia and Ibrahim coming off for Deogratious Ojok and John Njuguna. They were forced to make another when Muchiri was brought off injured and was replaced by Lawrence Luvanda.
Twelve minutes to time, Tusker almost put the game to rest when Njuguna delivered a well weighted freekick from the left, but Ojok’s diving header was over.
The home side, Police, kept their ambush at Tusker, but couldn’t crack an equalizer, with their new technical director Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee watching on the sidelines.
