A spirited fight by ten-man Nzoia Sugar has delayed Tusker from laying hands on the Football Kenya Federation Premier League after holding the brewers to a barren draw at the Sudi Stadium. Tusker needed a win of any margin and pray that KCB fall to AFC Leopards to be crowned the new league champions but their attempts to breach the Nzoia defence and put the ball past the line were met with equal force. Nzoia finished with ten men after Ian Karani was sent off for a second bookable offence but still Tusker couldn’t make the numerical advantage count. Match Update| 90’🔴 Red Card 🔴Ian Karani is sent off for Nzoia.The defender is given two yellow cards in quick succession🟢 Nzoia 0 – 0 Tusker ⚪#NzoiaVsTusker#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/8JpckP05ok— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) August 18, 2021 After a goalless first half, coach Robert Matano, worried of dropping points away made three changes in a bid to break the stubborn Nzoia defence.The veteran tactician brought in the trio of the attack minded Brian Marita, Humphrey Mieno and Jackson Macharia for Michael Madoya, Boniface Muchiri and Kevin Okoth respectively.The fresh legs did not have instant impact as anticipated leaving Matano to look on his bench again in the 75th minute where he exhausted his options by making double changes. Matano threw in the duo of Apollo Otieno and Christopher Ochieng for Luke Namanda and Vincent Ngesa who were facing their former team. With three points separating the brewers and the bankers, the former who already has the rights to represent the country in the CAF Champions League will have to beat Bidco United in their final game. FULL TIME Sofapaka FC 2 Bandari FC 2#SofapakaVsBandari#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/8A8FKF7dRA— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) August 18, 2021 Elsewhere, Sofapaka rallies from a goal down to hold Bandari to a two all draw at the Wundanyi Stadium. The 2009 league had themselves to blame after giving Bandari the opening goal through Roy Okal who turned the ball into his own net in the dying minutes of the first half. Lawrence Juma restored parity for Sofapaka in the 61st minute from the spot before Joe Waithira doubled their advantage in three minutes later. Bandari will have the fast rising Ndemi Keegan to thank as his 82nd minute goal was enough to help them pick a point away.
