Tusker beat Bandari in Mombasa, as Gor draw Sofapaka

• Deo Ojok scored Tusker’s goal in a 1-0 victory over Bandari
• Benson Omalla opened his account salvaging a point for Gor
• Ulinzi Stars were beaten 2-1 by Nzoia Sugar in Bungoma

Tusker FC began their FKF Premier League campaign on a positive note, with a qwell worked 1-0 victory away to Bandari FC in Mombasa, while last season’s champions Gor Mahia had to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Sofapaka in Nairobi.

In Bungoma, Ulinzi Stars surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to a new look Nzoia Sugar, while in another fixture, Kenya Police FC and Kariobangi Sharks played out to a 0-0 draw.

At the Kasarani Stadium, Sofapaka, with a majorly new look squad and new coach Francis Harigingo had beemn off to a good start against the reigning champions.

They were rewarded three minutes to the break when new signing Darous Msagha’s shot was deflected past the keeper. Gor worked hard in the second half and with eight minutes left salvaged a point when Omalla scored from the penalty spot.

In Mombasa, Deogratious Ojok’s 42^nd minute goal was the difference as Tusker FC beat hosts Bandari, to start off on a positive. Tusker had to play more than half an hour of the second half with 10 men after midfielder David Odoyo was sent off for a reckless challenge.

Ojok volleyed home from inside the box after John Byamumaka’s cross found him well placed, with keeper Joseph Ochuka fumbling as he tried to pick out the ball.

Bandari punished for missed chances 

Deogratious Ojok of Tusker FC in full flght action

Bandari had been punished for missing a myriad of chances especially in the opening quarter of an hour.

Abdallah Hassan had two chances in the opening exchanges. First, he found some shooting space from the edge of the box, curled one in but it flew inches above the target. Later, he was presented with a glorious chance when James Kinyanjui found him unmarked inside the six yard box, but he somehow lifted the ball over.

In between, Burundian Shassir Nahimana who had been lively for most of the opening minutes came close when he danced past some feet at the edge of the box, but his eventual shot was easily collected by Brian Bwire.

Minutes later, Kinyanjui was sent through with a peach of a through ball by Fidel Origa. However, the winger’s rasping low shot rolled across the face of goal.

Bandari thought they had levelled just before halftime when Abdallah tapped the ball into the net after Kinyanjui’s low shot from the edge of the area had come off the upright but he was flagged down for offside.

Bandari with second half numerical advantage 

Joseph Mwangi of Tusker FC battling with Mohamed Siraj of Bandari

In the second half, after they had a numerical advantage, Bandari camped in Tusker’s half, and had more forward players coming on, including new signing Beja Nyamwayi.

However, Tusker defended well and should have even scored with quarter of an hour left. A counter floated to Mike Oduor on the right saw him float a cross to the backpost, nodded down by James Kibande.

However, substitute new signing Eric Kapaito swung his volley inches wide off target, with keeper Ochuka well beaten.