Tusker down Police to pile pressure on leaders Gor Mahia

• Tusker squeezed the gap between them and leaders Gor to one point
• The brewers have now won five matches in a row
• Tusker are seeking to defend their FKF Premier League title

Shaphan Oyugi’s 69^th minute goal was all Tusker FC needed as they edged out Kenya Police FC 1-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday to pile pressure on leaders Gor Mahia, reducing the gap between the two sides to just a single point.

The victory was a massive statement for Tusker, who picked their fifth successive win, and avenged their 3-0 loss suffered at the hands of the law enforcers in the first leg match.

“We played very well and defended as a unit, attacked as a unit. It was a good performance from the team. We have now won five matches in a row and this is a huge achievement for our confidence. Now this is behind our backs and we have to focus on the next match,” said the tactician.

Oyugi, who scored the lone goal, said; “I am really delighted because it had been a while without scoring and today I got a goal. I feel happy for myself but most importantly for the team because we needed this win a lot.”

Kenya Police coach Francis Baraza was modest in defeat and said the team was punished for failing to use their chances.

“We had so many scoring opportunities especially in the second half but we failed to use them. We were hit on the counter and that is a painful loss,” said the coach.

Brewers with chances

Tusker’s Eric Otieno in action against Musa Mohammed of Kenya Police FC

The brewers had the first few chances of the game as they sought to take charge of the game early. Eric Otieno was the beneficiary of two opportunities, first slaloming his way past two markers but his shot was saved.

In the 13^th minute, he was picked out by a cross from Mike Oduor, but his header bounced just wide.

In the 16^th minute, Police had a good aim at goal when Derrick Otanga picked the ball at the edge of the area when Brian Bwire’s goalkick was cut shot. However, the custodian made a good redemption of himself with a brilliant save to deny the Police forward.

Tusker continued pressing for a goal with Humphrey Mieno and Rodgers Ouma trying with shots from distance but both went over.

Three minutes to the break, Tusker had a glorious chance when Lawrence Luvanda sent Ouma through on goal, however, the midfielder’s effort to chip over the keeper was awry as the ball went over the target.

Tusker step up attacks

Aboud Omar attempts to go past Tusker’s Mike Oduor

In the second half Tusker stepped up and nine minutes after the restart, they were denied by the upright when Eric’s header from Levin Odhiambo’s header came off the woodwork.

They were rewarded for their industry in the 69^th minute when Shaphan scored the goal, running on to a through ball from Ouma, before shooting low past the keeper.

Tusker had launched a quick counter after they were let off the hook when Clifton Miheso’s curling effort came off the post.

After conceding, Police piled pressure and Tusker were forced to live on the edge. In the 88^th miniute, Elvis Rupia was denied by a brilliant Tom Teka block while a minute later, Miheso was once again denied by the woodwork.

At the death, Tusker would have sealed the win when off a counter, Stewart Omondi cut back a cross for substitute Jackson Macharia but he couldn’t strike a clean effort at goal.