- Tusker FC beat Bandari 1-0 at the Ruaraka Complex
- They are now four points adrift leaders Gor Mahia
- Coach Matano says the team is on a revival
Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano says he is impressed with the revival of his team which picked its fourth win in a row across all competitions on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Bandari FC at Ruaraka.
Eric Mmata scored the lone goal for the brewers as they moved to within four points of league leaders Gor Mahia, who were held to a 2-2 draw away to Nzoia Sugar.
“I am impressed with how the team is preforming. Their fighting spirit and never say die attitude is really good. They have realized their mistakes, worked on them and we are improving,” said the coach.
He added; “But we should not dwell on this. This is behind us now and we should focus on the games ahead of us. We have our work cut out with 17 more finals to come and we have to give our best in all.”
Mmata, Tusker’s goal scorer, was also relieved after breaking his goal drought, scoring his second goal in Tusker colors.
Long time without a goal
TUsker’s Shami Kibwana tussles for the ball with James Kinyanjui of Bandari
“It has been a long time since I scored and it feels great because I have battled injuries and lack of consistency but getting this goal is a huge morale booster for me. Hopefully I get more playing time and I score more,” noted the former Kariobangi Sharks and Mathare United man.
Mmata scored in the fifth minute of the game, racing through to the near post to connect to a Shami Mwinyi cross from the left. The winger had done well to change passes with Jackson Macharia before breaking through to lay the ball.
Tusker’s quick start had surprised Bandari who were yet to settle into the game.
In the 12th minute though they had a chance with a freekick at the edge of the box, but Rodgers Aloro, Tusker’s former defender now with the dockers, saw his curling effort turned behind by Brian Bwire in the Tusker goal.
On the other end, Tusker had two chances, Mmata flicking Deogratious Ojok through, but the latter couldn’t catch a clean shot at goal, his effort kindly rolling into the keeper’s arms.
Mmata play provider again
Tusker’s Deogratious Ojok tries a shot from inside the box
In the 26th minute they came very close, Mmata again playing provider with a cross from the right, but Jackson Macharia’s shot from close range was over the bar.
The brewers were forced to a change halfway through when Tom Teka limped off with a thigh injury and was replaced by new signing Michael Kibwage who came in for his league debut.
In the second half, Tusker were off to a quick start once again and they had a chance in the 50th minute when Ojok’s header from Daniel Sakari’s long throw came off the bar.
Bandari tried to push to get back into contention with Aloro having another freekick saved by Bwire while a header from a corner was cleared off the line by Kibwage.
They had another good chance when Joe Waithira picked the ball inside the box off a cross from the right but his connection was wide.
The brewers managed the final minutes of the game to see off the victory and avenge for the 2-1 loss they suffered to the dockers in the first leg.
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