Tusker see out Posta Rangers to close gap on leaders

Tusker made it two wins on the bounce after taking the lead early on to cling on to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Posta Rangers at the Kasarani Annex grounds on Sunday afternoon.

Shami Mwinyi's freekick in the fourth minute put Tusker into the lead early, and the defending champions had to squeeze the result out - punishing Posta to their sixth loss this season.

Following the win, Tusker jump into fourth position with 31 points. from 16 matches.

Posta Rangers on the other hand remain in 12th with only four wins at the half-way point of the season.

"I am very disappointed with our finishing, " Posta Rangers coach John Kamau said post-game. "I believe we had a chance today but just couldn't score. The fans enjoyed but I did not."

Robert Matano on the opposite side was impressed with the win despite having to work with a few injuries to his side.

"We are dealing with too many injuries," Matano said. "What matters now is my players got the win. We are just operation on one game at a time."

Game Recap

Tusker got themselves to a brilliant and quick start to the game and it didn't take them long to score the opener - coming after only four minutes through a low freekick from on-form striker Shami Mwinyi.

Eric Mmata had made way to the Posta Rangers half but was fouled just outside the box, paving way for Shami to score with his first shot of the game.

David Odoyo had a left-footed shot sting Kelvin Opiyo's hands in goal after capitalising on a poorly cleared corner.

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In the first 20 minutes, Tusker had created a host of chances with Eric Mmata's shot from just outside the box going over the bar.

Collins Otieno was having himself a great first half and had one of his shots go over after 22 minutes.

The diminutive midfielder was then handed an injury blow just past the half-hour mark when he went down with an apparent thigh injury.

The Tusker Youth product was later ruled out for the game with four minutes left to halftime with John Njuguna coming in his place.

Brian Marita had the best chance for Posta inside the final minute of the first half when he released a shot from the right channel but Matasi was well ready to pounce on it - sending Tusker to the locker rooms with a halftime advantage.

Second half.

Tusker looked vibrant from the break as they went in with a loaded midfield that created the first route to goal.

A sliced ball to Kevin Monyi on the wings set Shami off but his ball was collected by Opiyo in goal.

John Kamau made a trio of substitutions bringing on Chrispinus Onyango, Lewis Shivachi and Patrick Otieno in search for an attacking presence.

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The changes brought an impact as Posta constantly camped inside Tusker's box, and after a couple of miscued crosses, Brian Marita had the first real chance- sending a 71st minute freekick straight at Matasi.

Marita came close moments later- his effort going slightly wide.

Ojok missed a glorious opportunity to make it 2-0 after shooting straight at the then helpless goalkeeper and was immediately substituted for Eric Otieno.

Joining Otieno into the fray was a heavily strapped Humphrey Mieno and Eric Zakayo for Siwa and Mmata respectively.

John Njuguna had his shot come close inside the final ten minutes of the game, as the tensed Tusker fans tried to rally the team on to close the stretch.

Patrick Otieno was close to levelling matters when he broke through the left only for his left footed shot to go wide, kissing the side-netting in the process.

Tusker then held on the last five minutes of added time to see off the huge victory.

LINEUPS

Tusker FC

Starting XI: Patrick Matasi, Kevin Monyi, Jimmy Mbugua, Tom Teka, Charles Momanyi, David Odoyo, Collins Otieno, Eric Mmata, Deogratious Ojok, Shaphan Siwa, Shami Mwinyi.

Substitutes: Micahel Wanjala, Brian Bwire, Karlos Kirenge, Humphrey Mieno, Daniel Sakari, John Njuguna, Stewart Omondi, Eric Zakayo, Eric Otieno.

Posta Rangers

Starting XI: Kelvin Opiyo, Kennedy Ochieng, Michael Apudo, Bernard Ondiek, Kennedy Odhiambo, Brian Musa, Brian Otieno, Sammy Odero, Michael Owino, Vincent Wasambo, Brian Marita.

Substitutes: Brandon Obiero, Dinken Mwema, Elvis Ochieng, Simon Omondi, Patrick Otieno, Chrispinus Onyango, Eluid Lokuwam, Jackson Dwang, Lewis Shivachi.