Tusker down Sofapaka to keep title chase alive, Gor keep lead

• Tusker beat Sofapaka 2-0 at Ruaraka
• Gor won 2-0 against Sharks at Kasarani
• Gor lead the standings with 49 points, four ahead of Tusker

League leaders Gor Mahia and Tusker FC both picked up similar 2-0 wins on Sunday as the battle for the FKF Premier League title intensified.

An own goal in the first half and a second half Austin Odhiambo goal at the Kasarani Stadium saw Gor floor Kariobangi Sharks while a goal in either half by Eric Otieno and Jackson Macharia saw Tusker win against Sofapaka at their Ruaraka Complex backyard.

With the result, Gor remained top of the standings with 49 points, four ahead of second placed Tusker FC, who have a match at hand.

At the Kasarani Stadium, Gor were keen to battle for maximum points after dropping some in midweek where they drew 0-0 with Sofapaka. They broke the deadlock in the 22^nd minute when Timothy Ekhavi turned the ball in his own net as he tried to defend a corner from Odhiambo.

Gor continued to dominate and they doubled their lead minutes after the restart in the second half, when Odhiambo volleyed home from inside the box after the Sharks defense struggled to clear a cross from Boniface Omondi.

Gor guard their win well

Gor Mahia players celebrate their win over Kariobangi Sharks. PHOTO/Capital FM

Despite Sharks’ efforts to try battle back into the game, Gor defended their lead well to pick up a win that ensures they remain at the apex.

Tusker meanwhile kept the pace with a well worked performance at home against Sofapaka.

They went ahead just nine minutes into the match when Eric Otieno slammed the ball into the net from close range. The Sofapaka keeper had collided with Shaphan Oyugi as he went for a cross.

Tusker had started the duel well and were rewarded with an early goal. In the 19^th minute, they should have doubled the lead when Mike Oduor won the ball on the left, but his aim at goal from a tight angle was easily collected by the keeper.

In the 26^th minute they came even closer when John Njuguna picked up the ball inside the box from a Shaphan cross, but his well taken shot was put out by the keeper.

Against the run of play, Sofapaka almost levelled in the 32^nd minute when a looping cross from Simon Abuko came off the upright, landing on Alex Imbusia. But, keeper Brian Bwire made a brilliant point blank save to keep his side in the game.

Tusker with more chances 

Tusker FC players celebrate their win over Sofapaka. PHOTO/Tusker FC

In the second half, Tusker started well again, and seven minutes in, they had a chance when Shaphan squared to Otieno, but the lanky forward could not get his second as he struck wide with only the keeper to beat.

He had another chance 10 minutes later after being put through by Rodgers Ouma, but his shot at goal was poor and straight to the keeper.

Two minutes later, Tusker who were increasingly dangerous had another chance when Otieno flicked Njuguna through, but the latter’s brilliantly curled effort was saved by the keeper.

The brewers continued dominating and four minutes to the end, they doubled their tally when Macharia directed a cross from Lawrence Luvanda beyond the keeper, despite the ball coming off his back.

In other results, Ulinzi Stars and KCB played to a 0-0 draw, a similar result picked up between AFC Leopards and Kenya Police as well as Nzoia Sugar and Bidco United.

Bandari FC beat Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 while Posta Rangers floored Nairobi City Stars 3-2.