Hakizimana powers Nairobi United to fourth as Mette struggles to halt Tusker slide

Nairobi United kept up with their recent upturn in form in the FKF Premier League after squeezing out a narrow 1-0 victory over Tusker at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, 6 May.

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Naibois, whose last league defeat came in late March, extended their purple-patch to eight games without defeat, courtesy of a stunning first-half strike from Muhadjiri Hakizimana.

The goal ensured his side leapt to fourth on the log, all while securing a league double over the Brewers this season.

The decisive strike came in the 18th minute, when Muhadjiri arrowed a layoff from Dancan Omalla into the top left corner, sealing Nairobi United’s third league win on the trot, and giving them something to smile about following their Mozzart Bet Cup exit last weekend.

Tusker, who lost the first-leg to Naibois, were guilty of spurning numerous opportunities in front of goal, suffering successive league defeats to drop to eighth on the log with 41 points.

The two sides came into the mid-week clash with mixed feelings; Tusker off a last-gasp winner to breeze into the Mozzart Bet Cup semifinals, and Nairobi United gutted about a 1-0 defeat to KCB, which meant an end to the road leading to their domestic cup defense.

Those results seemed to dictate the matchday selections on Wednesday, as Tusker shuffled the park,while Godfrey Oduor sought to keep his impressive league run going.

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It was therefore a suprise as the visitors came out guns blazing, and should have found themselves in the lead after nine minutes, when Bless Bakai got to the end of a poorly cleared corner kick, only to smack right at an advancing Kelvin Oduor.

Minutes later, Ian Simiyu was streaking clear to goal, but for the offiside flag to rescue static Nairobi United defenders.

Just when Tusker looked to be asserting their control, a bolt from the blues came in the 18th minute, when off the run of play, Muhadjiri initiated an attack down the left-hand side, fed Dancan with an out-foot pass inside the box, before running inside to smack the return ball from a stooping position, and into the top corner.

Stunned Tusker were all of a sudden pinned to the ropes, and were fortunate not to concede a quick second, when Dancan overhit a delightful assist from Mustafa Kizza from the left wing.

Benson Omalla was the next man to threaten the Tusker goal in the 40th minute, but for his glancing header from an Enock Machaka cross to crash against a post.

Julien Mette, in a bid to rescue his side, made a change just two minutes after the break, bringing on weekend hero Ibrahim Joshua for Bakai.

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That could well have been seen as a futile effort, as Tusker labored hard to gain inroads into the Naibois goal.

Instead, it was the hosts who carved better opportunities, with both Hakizimana and Kizza going close in the 54th and 56th minutes respectively.

Three minutes after the hour-mark, Omalla again went close to netting his fifth goal this season, but for his slashed effort from a Machaka cross to be repelled by Tusker keeper Pavelh Ndzila.

Four minutes later, the Omalla brothers connected, only for Ndzila to spoil their intentions.

Tusker's best shot at a leveler came in the 71st minute, when midfielder Dennis Iguma attempted a direct freekick yards away from the box, but for his effort to come off the post and away from goal.

Substitute Fabian Adikiny would have a crack in the dying minutes, but one that Oduor watched fly over his goal.

After the cup disappointment, Naibois had managed to hurl themselves off the canvas.

For Tusker, maybe bigger fish to fry.