Reigning Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) champions Tusker FC threw away a golden chance of entering into the top three bracket for the very first time this season as they were held to a lacklustre barren draw by resilient home side Ulinzi Stars.In the rescheduled midweek match played on Wednesday afternoon at the ASK Grounds in Nakuru, the Robert Matano-coached side failed to replicate what they did just four days ago to the same opponents at the Ruaraka Grounds – where they won 2-0 – as they scuppered a chance of also closing down the gap to log leading Kakamega Homeboyz to only five points.FULL TIME in Nakuru.Tough contested tie but vital point on the road pic.twitter.com/83fCKgKtBb— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) February 16, 2022 In a match where Tusker were hoping to jumpstart their title defence with all three points, it is Benjamin Nyangweso’s Ulinzi Stars who were the better side as the two teams went into the first half water break on the 23rd minute. However, they had nothing to show for it as Patrick Matasi in the Tusker goal remained untested in goal.Still, the two sides would fail to break the deadlock by the halftime interval with the few chances in between posing no serious threat to either goalkeeper.Upon resumption of the second half, Matano opted to bring in Shami Kibwana and Humprey Mieno in place of youngsters Rodgers Ouma and John Njuguna as the twelve-time champions pushed for a goal after an underwhelming half.Five minutes in, Shami almost proved to be the masterstroke when he hit a well-struck volley towards goal but his effort agonizingly just veered wide in the game’s closest chance yet. Same to the first half, the game dropped back into a lull as Ulinzi fought off any lurking danger with brute resoluteness.50: OOH CLOSE! Shami swings in a volley from the left but it flushes inches wide. (0-0)— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) February 16, 2022 In the end, both sides failed to conjure any creative chance through the entire game as the game ended 0-0 with both sides sharing a point, Ulinzi preventing the league double and Tusker failing to move further upwards.
