Senaji's first half strike earns Tusker three vital points at Bidco United's loss

Kenyan champions Tusker have registered their fourth successive win in the 2022-2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season after narrowly edging Bidco United 1-0 at Thika Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Tusker had Clyde Senaji to thank as his early goal in the first half secured them maximum points as well as their unbeaten start. 

It also secured them their fourth win over Bidco who are in their third season in the top flight having gained promotion to the top tier four years ago. 

Bidco head coach Anthony Akhulia couldn't hide his frustration after dropping points after watching his charges drop points in front of the sizeable crowd in the stands.

"We are losing matches that we shouldn't be. We conceded easily and wasted clear cut chances late in the game," he lamented.

His opposite number Robert Matano was over the moon with the way his players handled the nervous moments of the game.

"I am glad we managed to get three points despite missing four key players. The players have been working hard and it is refreshing to see it reflect on the pitch," he said.

Matano rung a number of changes to the team that beat AFC Leopards in the past weekend with key among them being the introduction of Senaji in the midfield.

The Kenyan international was given a slot in the starting team following the absence of skipper Humphrey Mieno who is taking up the CAF D coaching course. 

Matano also handed Kevin Monyi his debut game of the season while Erick Mmata and John Njuguna made their first starts of the season. 

Bidco boss Anthony Akhulia on the other hand gave Benson Iregi and Ezekiel Okare the first starts of the season. 

The hosts were barely unplayable in the opening ten minutes of the game as they camped at the Tusker area in search for the opener but they were met with equal force. 

Bidco wingers unsuccessfully tried to exploit the possibility of overloading and finding an easy passage to the box through the left back that was manned by Daniel Sakari, a natural right back. 

Bidco were made to pay for the missed chances as Tusker took the lead in the 15th minute through Senaji whose flicked header from a corner kick sailed to the furthest corner. 

Senaji made a run behind the line of defence, flicking the floated ball by John Njuguna to net his first goal of the season for Tusker. 

The goal did not stop Bidco from making inroads to the Tusker area and would register their first shot on the target in the 37th minute when Henry Juma let fly a volley that Patrick Matasi palmed for a corner. 

Tusker managed to contain the pressure from Bidco in the dying minutes of the first half and would be glad to have proceeded for the breather with the advantage on their side. 

There was nothing to write home about the game in the second half as both teams struggled to string passes together and create chances despite both technical benches introducing fresh legs. 

The clearest of the the few chances created in the half fell on the way of Senaji in the 78th minute but failed to direct the ball past the well exposed Indeche.

Sensing the second defeat of the season, Bidco threw everything to the Tusker goal in the closing stages of the game but found no way through. 

Bidco United XI 

Lucas Indeche, David Kalama, Collins Oduor, Peter Nzuki, Lambert Oyuga, Said Tsuma, Zachary Gathu (Lameck Oloo 82), Henry Juma (Michael Bodo 82), Ezekiel Okare (Stephen Waruru 82), David Gateri (Samuel Ndung'u 57), Benson Iregi (Eric Gichimu 57)

Unused substitutes 

Edwin Mukolwe, Kassim Mwinyi, Geoffrey Gitau, Gabriel Wandera

Tusker 

Patrick Matasi, Daniel Sakari, Kevin Monyi, Isaac Kipyegon, Charles Momanyi, Clyde Senaji, Rodgers Ouma, Erick Mmata (David Majak 76), John Njuguna ( Stewart Omondi 52) Shaphan Oyugi (Collins Otieno 52), Deogratious Ojok (Eric Otieno 76)

Unused substitutes 

Brian Bwire, Boniface Onyango, Thomas Teka, David Odoyo, Jackson Macharia

Centre Referee: Meshack Omondi