Tusker score late to edge out Police FC

• Tusker have now won four matches in the last five
• They have moved to seventh in the standings
• Leopards drew 1-1 with Murang’a Seals in another match

Tusker FC picked their third win in four matches as they moved into the top half of the FKF Premier League standings with a 1-0 win over Police FC in Machakos.

Fabian Adikiny stepped off the bench to score a 92^nd minute winner as the alemen picked the three points on a tough outing.

The brewers picked up their fourth win in five matches to continue their resurgence, victory that propelled them to 25 points, nine behind leaders Gor Mahia Fc and four behind second placed Posta Rangers.

Adikiny raced on to a flick from Stewart Omondi, before lifting the ball over the advancing Patrick Matasi to hand the brewers maximum points.

“I am really delighted to have scored my first goal for Tusker FC in such a manner. It gives me a lot of confidence and also propels the team somewhere better on the log. We have ended the year well and hopefully we can pick up same way next year,” the midfielder, who signed from Murang’a Seal at the start of the season said.

It had been a difficult duel for the brewers who were playing their third match in seven days, in between travels, and the fatigue showed in their play, as they were not as fluid and fast as they usually are.

However, they managed another clean sheet and a goal at the end to put their title hopes well balanced.

Difficult start to the match for Tusker FC

Tusker’s Fabian Adikiny in action against Police FC’s Musa Mohamed.

Tusker had a difficult start to the match, playing just a day after arriving from a long trip to Bungoma, where they had beaten Nzoia Sugar 2-0.

It was Police, who had their fare share of off pitch drama before the game, that settled quicker and had more chances. In the 20^th minute, Tito Okello broke through on goal but was denied by a decent block from Tom Teka.

In the 34^th minute, Police had another chance when David Okoth broke on the left, finding space to shoot but his effort was turned behind for a corner by keeper Brian Bwire.

Police had goalkeeper trainer Iddi Salim take on the coaching duties, with the absence of head coach Zdravko Logarusic and assistant Salim Babu. Babu was absent due to a rift with Logarusic, who had picked issue with his three-week absence as he handled Kenya’s Under-18 team at the CECAFA Championship.

Logarusic in turn was asked to step aside from the team on the night before the match due to the issue with Babu, as well as a difference he created with the experienced members of his team after comments he made prior that he would get rid of all of them.

Without a coach on the touchline, Police were determined to take at least a point off the duel.

Tusker press more in second half 

Tusker’s Ibrahim Joshua in action against Police FC’s Musa Mohamed.

In the second half though, it was Tusker who were more attacking and determined to get something off the duel, but still the chances were not many.

In the 84^th minute, Teka came inches close to scoring when he was teed up by Eric Kapaito, but his shot flew inches wide. They were however rewarded in added time, when Adikiny found the back of the net.

Meanwhile, Murang’a Seal were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Leopards at their backyard. Seal, just like Police, have had coaching drama, and their coach Gabriel Kingi has been reportedly fired as he was not on the bench for the game.

Samuel Semo scored a 32^nd minute equalizer for Murang’a to save them a point after Victor Omune had given Leopards the lead.

The point saw Seal drop to ninth un the standings after failing to win for the fifth straight match while Leopards moved to 14^th, a point off the drop zone.