- Tusker beat Division Two side Bumbani 2-0
- Daniel Sakari and Eric Zakayo scored for them
- They play Kakamega Homeboyz in the next round
Tusker FC are determined to go all the way in the FKF Cup and lift the title, after losing in the final last year. The brewers started their campaign with a 2-1 victory away to lower tier side Bumbani Stars FC in the Coastal region.
They have booked a ticket in the round of 1`6 where they are scheduled to play against Kakamega Homeboyz in a repeat of last year’s final, which the latter won 1-0.
Defender Daniel Sakari says the team is motivated after starting the tournament well.
“The first game of the tournament was always going to be hard but we have showed up well as a team to get the win. In a tournament, there is no underdog. Starting positively earns momentum for us and we can build on from here,” the defender further states.
Sakari scored the opener in the 2-0 victory and says he is delighted, this being his first goal for the club since joining two seasons ago.
He adds; “I believe there is more to come. It (scoring) is something that I can do better and I want to put in more effort on it.”
Against Bumbani, Tusker were comfortable, though the difficult conditions of the Ukunda Showground pitch greatly hampered their usual style of passing play, and the hot midday sun didn’t do them justice either.
Tusker score in either half
Tusker FC players celebrate Daniel Sakari’s goal.
Goals from Sakari and Eric Zakayo in either half gave Tusker the win, with the home side halving the deficit 20 minutes to time from the penalty spot through Saidi Zamani..
Under hot conditions in Ukunda, Tusker had started the game well with Eric Otieno seeing a close range shot blocked by the keeper, while Joseph Mwangi’s swift tap beyond the keeper was inches wide after some good change of passes inside the box.
The Brewers ultimately opened the scoring in the 25th minute of the game, Sakari scoring with a brilliant shot from the edge of the box on his weaker left foot.
The hot conditions hugely had an impact on the game’s pace with chances few and most of the duels restricted to the middle of the pack.
Sakari almost had a second at the stroke of halftime with a similar shot from range, but this time the keeper palmed away the shot for a corner.
In the second half, Tusker made offensive changes, Eric Kapaito, John Njuguna and Fabian Adikiny coming in for Lawrence Luvanda, Mwangi and Eric Otieno.
The brewers almost had a second on the hour mark, when Adikiny and Zakayo changed passes on the right before releasing Kapaito, but he couldn’t get power behind his shot.
Tusker put more pressure in the second half
Tusker FC defender Michael Kibwage passes the ball against Bumbani
But, the second finally came five minutes later, Zakayo striking into the roof of the net with a shot from the edge of the area after being set up by Collins Otieno.
The home side halved the deficit five minutes later from the spot, Zamani scoring after the referee adjudged Teka to have handled the ball inside the box as he made a clearance.
The goal gave the hosts some confidence into the final 20 minutes of the game as they dumped balls inside the box, and almost scored at the death but an effort from close range came off the bar.
“It was a really tough match under the conditions we had but I am glad that the players managed to get the job done. The most important thing is that we are into the next round and now we can focus back on the league,” Tusker coach Robert Matano said after the match.
In the round of 16, the Brewers have been drawn to play Kakamega Homeboyz, in a repeat of last year’s final. Next up, they switch their focus back to the league.
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