Francis Kahiro’s brace inspired FC Talanta to their second win of the season, beating the defending champions 2-1 in an Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match played at the Ruaraka Ground on Wednesday afternoon. Tusker beaten again. I had prepared @JaphMutinda psychologically before the season begun so I hope he’s not surprised by the team’s performance— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) October 27, 2021 Ken Kenyatta heaped praises on his side for the win, saying they were prepared enough for the match.”We came prepared well enough. They were the champions of the league and we were the champions of the NSL. I am happy for the win,” Kenyatta said.His counterpart, Robert Matano rued mistakes in the team in the loss.”We lost from mistakes that we should have avoided and conceded avoidable goals. We will work on those going into the next games,” Matano said.Talanta opened the scoring after just nine minutes with Francis Kahiro capitalizing on a defensive mishap to give Talanta an early lead.The goal must have been a wakeup call for Robert Matano’s charges as they launched a series of attacks in the minutes that followed in an attempt to find an equalizer.Senaji had the chance to draw the teams level just before the break but he headed just inches over the bar from a John Njuguna cross.Tusker again had the better chance to equalize in stoppage time after they were awarded an indirect freekick in the box but Clyde Senaji’s curling effort was tipped over the bar by the custodian.📰|FULL-TIME@FcTalanta_CA maintain their unbeaten record in Top flight.Tusker suffer their second loss.It’s Talantas Day.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/slN7E7qWAC— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) October 27, 2021 Ken Kenyatta made a double change at the break, bringing in Enock Machaka and Edwin Lavatsa for Anthony Gicho and Brian Yakhama.Michael Bondo was excellent for Talanta, just like he has been the last two games, anchoring the team well in the defensive midfielder position.Robert Matano replied to Kenyatta’s change by making a triple swap with Boniface Muchiri, Kevin Okoth and Shami Kibwana coming on for Stewart Omondi, Rogers Ouma and John Njuguna on 56 minutes. Talanta were dealt a blow following the injury of Michael Jairo and had to replace him with Vincent Otieno, with the former being stretched out for treatment.Tusker played showing more intent after the break, with the change made to the squad bring in some much needed change in the final third.Their efforts would pay off just at the hour mark, with Jackson Macharia latching on to an Ibrahim Joshua pass to level the scoresTusker’s celebrations on the leveler were shortlived as Kahiro scored his second in the game to double their lead from a Machaka cross.Otieno’s stay on the pitch was shortlived, with Kenyatta withdrawing him barely seven minutes after coming on and replacing him with Luis Masika, adding more experience to the side that needed to protect their lead to the end.FULL TIME at the Ruaraka Complex. It ends in a disappointing home defeat. pic.twitter.com/KMcD20Bi4E— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) October 27, 2021 Tusker could have grabbed an equalizer in the stoppage time but none of the players met Senaji’s cross as it went just past the goal mouth.Lawrence Luvanda, who came on towards the end, almost pulled the equalizer but Otieno stretched out to stop his ferocious shot and denyTusker Starting XI: Brian Bwire, Kevin Monyi, Hillary Wandera, Kalos Kirenge, Eugene Asike, Clyde Senaji, Stewart Omondi, Rogers Ouma, Ibrahim Joshua, Jackson Macharia, John NjugunaSubs: Patrick Matasi, Christopher Oruchum, Jimmy Mbugua, Teddy Osok, Boniface Muchiri, Shami Mwinyi, Kevin Okoth, Deogratious Ojok, Lawrence LuvandaFC Talanta Starting XI: Kevin Otieno, Alvin Ochieng, Evans Maliachi, Nichodemus Makali, Sinela Mandela, Michael Bodo, Barrack Odhiambo, Francis Kahiro, Anthony Gicho, Michael Jairo, Brian YakhamaSubs: James Omusinde, Eugene Ambulwa, Erick Lusala, Luis Masika, Enock Machaka, Coullibaly Mohammed, Edwin Lavatsa, Maurice Dukuly, Vincent Otieno
