Tusker held by Ulinzi Stars in dour draw at Kasarani

• Tusker failed to utilize their chances to score
• Ulinzi failed to register a single shot on target
• The brewers remained top of the standings

Despite seeing the best scoring chances, FKF Premier League champions Tusker FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Ulinzi Stars at the Kasarani Annex.

The brewers had chances to score but could not utilize them against an Ulinzi side which seemed too eager for a draw and failed to register a single shot on target.

“We were not sharp and clinical enough in front of goal. Our strikers did not help us today because they had the chances but could not score. It is a disappointing result for us,” said Tusker coach Robert Matano.

Despite the draw, the brewers remained top of the standings with 23 points, same as Nzoia Sugar who bounced back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at home against Vihiga Bullets.

Tusker were dominant from the word go, but the slow pace of the game did not help them much.

Crosses not met with definite finishes

Boniface Onyango and Daniel Sakari on either wing did well to float crosses into the box, but none were met with a decisive finish.

From range, David Majak had an effort and so did skipper Humphrey Mieno, but both sailed over. Mieno’s was closest as he came to the end of some beautiful team play from the brewers, Lawrence Luvanda setting him up.

In the 27^th minute, the soldiers had a chance when they broke off the counter with Hillary Simiyu on his wheels on goal. However, the backtracking Kalos Kirenge made a brilliant block as the striker prepared to pull the trigger.

In the second half, Tusker had the chances again. Mieno, one of their best players this season picked up the ball at the edge of the box and swung a shot at goal, but the Ulinzi keeper made a brilliant save.

On the hour mark they had another good chance when Ibrahim Joshua picked up Eric Zakayo’s run at the backpost, but the latter could not land his shot on target.

Tusker with more chances to score

Tusker’s David Majak strides forward

Joshua himself came inches close to a goal when he glanced a header from Mieno’s cross, but the Ulinzi keeper made another flying save, pushing the ball against the upright. Majak latched on the rebound, but his effort at directing the ball into the net was called for a high-boot foul on Omar Mbongi.

The brewers made offensive changes clearing their entire forward line with Majak, Joshua, Zakayo and Luvanda coming off for Jackson Macharia, Eric Otieno, Deogratious Ojok and John Njuguna, but that couldn’t effect the team for goals.