Teary Kibande steps off bench to push former side closer to the drop

James Kibande returned to inflict more misery to his former side Nzoia Sugar as he scored ten-man Tusker’s only goal in a 1-0 victory at Dandora Stadium on Monday.

The speedy winger, signed by the sugar millers in 2019 for what was his break-out season in the FKF Premier League, rose highest at the back post to head in Deogratious Ojok’s 79th minute cross from the right, for the decisive goal that pushed his former employers closer to an ominous drop from the top-tier.

The tears shed after his goal painted a grim picture for Nzoia, who remain bottom of the log with just four wins this season, and couldn’t capitalize an opportunity against a short-handed Brewers side.

Tusker, who saw young midfielder Chrispine Erambo sent off after 42 minutes for an off-ball incident, will on the other hand point to their resilience that secured them back-to-back shut-out wins as a huge plus, even as they closed down the gap to the top-two sides in the division.

Robert Matano’s side now lie third, two points off second-placed Kenya Police, and 11 behind run-away leaders Gor Mahia.

Match Report

After initially starting on the back-foot, Nzoia, who saw keeper Fredrick Munyendo pull a brilliant save to fend off returning David Odoyo’s header after four minutes, got themselves a chance to take the lead when Brian Bwire hacked down David Simiyu inside the box.

The Kenyan international making his second successive start however made amends as he stopped Simiyu's spot-kick, saving Tusker’s blushes as they went on to dominate what turned out to be an eventful first-half.

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Eric Kapaito twice came close inside the half-hour mark while John Njuguna had two attempts within four minutes, hit the side-netting and turned behind for a corner.

Things went wayward for the hosts shortly after when Erambo was sent to the showers for a nasty tackle, as the Brewers hung on to close out the half.

Matano made the day’s big moves as he made a triple substitution after the break, bringing on Kibande, Ojok and Dennis Oguta for Joseph Mwangi, Mike Oduor and the misfiring Njuguna.

Two of the new entrants would go on to make near-immediate impact, as Ojok floated in a cross from the right to feed Kibande for the important opener.

The latter, visibly carrying emotions for his former side, was later on hooked off with seven minutes left for Eric Zakayo, but his imprints on the contest on show.

Nzoia hanging on for dear life

This performance added another salty taste in the mouth of all Nzoia Sugar supporters - Kibande included - as all the initiative for a win, and maybe the start of a remarkable fight against the drop, wasn't taken.

A missed penalty from David Simiyu was one, and so was the team's inability to make their extra man count after Erambo was dismissed.

With six matches left, Nzoia find themselves 11 points from safety, and hold a inferior goal-difference (-29) as compared to the other bottom four teams.

The signs for an unprecedented return to the National Super League are all laid out, with the six match run-in involving tricky ties against KCB, Ulinzi Stars, City Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz.