- Tusker beat Posta Rangers 2-0 to clinch the title
- Kakamega Homeboyz were awarded a walkover by Kariobangi Sharks
- Tusker was awarded with Sh2mn
Tusker FC successfully defended their FKF Premier League title on the last day of the season after edging out Posta Rangers 2-0 at the Ruaraka Complex on Sunday. Goals in either half from Shaphan Siwa and substitute Jackson Macharia were enough for the brewers to clinch a 13th Premier League title.
Heading into the final day of the season, Tusker was sitting at top of the pile, separated from second-placed Kakamega Homeboyz on goal difference.
But, even before they could kick a ball, Homeboyz were already top after Kariobangi Sharks failed to travel to Kakamega to face the second-placed side, and were effectively handed a walkover which earned them three points and two goals.
Miles away in Nairobi, Tusker had to win against Posta to remain top of the pile, with the goal difference reduced to two goals. And the brewers delivered.
Tusker welcomed back Tanzanian international Ibrahim Joshua who had just flown back from international duty in Tanzania the previous night and he was hooked straight into the starting team.
Tusker FC celebrate after winning the FKF Premier League trophy
The home side, pushed on by hundreds of their fans who had thronged the stadium, started off on a high and had chances. Eric Zakayo curled a freekick that was fisted away by the keeper. Shami Kibwana also came close when he picked up a cross from Kevin Monyi but rifled his volley wide.
The brewers were rewarded for their hungry start and got the opener in the 26th minute though not in the smoothest of versions. A cross from Shami on the right was met by Joshua who initial effort came off the bar. As Posta struggled to clear, Shaphan pounced to tap the ball home.
Oyugi should have made it 2-0 five minutes to the break when a poorly defended cross from the right hung up nicely for him, but he rifled the volley over.
Right at the start of the second half, Tusker made changes, Shami and Shaphan making way for Lawrence Luvanda and Macharia.
But, it was Posta who threatened to spoil the party as they were more offensive. Joshua Nyatini came close when he rifled a freekick from range, but it took a slight deflection off the wall to whistle just inches over Patrick Matasi’s goal.
Tusker’s Jackson Macharia celebrates his second goal for the team
Brian Marita also almost broke the hearts of his former employers with whom he won the league with last season, but his rasping shot from range was blocked by Christopher Oruchum.
The brewers were limited in their chances, Ibrahim’s header from the penalty spot being saved by the keeper while `Macharia had a shot from range fly just over the bar.
The brewers however got the nerve calming goal in the 79th minute of the match when Macharia slapped the ball home from the edge of the six yard box from Stewart’s cross.
The brewers had to finish the match with 10 men when Kevin Monyi was sent off for a second yellow card, but the job was long done for them as they guarded the two-goal cushion to earn victory and the title.
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