Champions Tusker have drawn four points closer to Football Kenya Federation Premier League leaders Kakamega Homeboyz after downing Sofapaka 2-0 at the Kasarani Annex.The win, the tenth of the season for the Ruaraka based club came courtesy of Tanzanian import Ibrahim Joshua in the second half.Coach Robert Matano while celebrating the win said the win was a reflection of the harf work the team has been putting in training. At the same time, Matano criticised the Sofapaka technical bench for spending the better part of the match complaining to the fourth official instead of focusing on the game.”I am happy with the win and especially how the players expressed themselves. I however condemn the conduct of some members of the Sofapaka bench for unprofessionalism. They kept on focusing on our game and complaining to the referee instead of encouraging the team to fight for a win,” he said.Tusker were the first team to settle in the game that saw both teams employ a cautious approach in the opening ten minutes. Joshua wasted the clearest opportunity of all in the 12th minute when he intercepted a back pass in the box but the pressure from the retreating Roy Okal saw him fire wide. Three minutes later, Shami Kibwana also squandered a clear chance after he picked the ba down in the left wing, weaved his way to the box only to pass the ball straight to Kevin Omondi’s hands. The raid on the Sofapaka area did not stop there as Joshua rose high to head in a cross by Jackson Macharia in the 17th minute but the woodwork came to the rescue of the hosts. Sofapaka made their first attempt on target in the 21st minute through Joe Waithira who tried to connect a cross from Titus Achesa but Patrick Matasi’s strong arms parried the ball away. However, the could not build on it and stage another meaningful attack as Tusker enjoyed dominance but were unable to break the human wall that worked overtime to thwart the attacks. In a move aimed at containing the visitors, Sofapaka made their first change in the 38th minute where Nigerian Sébastine Sunday who was largely ineffective on the left wing paved way for Alex Imbusia. Shaphan Siwa became the first player to be cautioned by centre referee Kelvin Maina for a late tackle on Lawrence Juma in the dying minutes of the first half. Isaac Kipyegon followed suit just a minute after restart for bringing Imbusia down. Juma nearly gave Sofapaka the lead in the 48th minute after pulling the trigger just outside the box but Matasi made a fingertip save to deny the last year’s best midfielder. Tusker finally broke the deadlock in the 60th minute through Joshua who powerfully headed in a cross delivered by Shami. Two minutes after conceding, Sofapaka brought in the duo of Said Tsuma and Ambrose Sifuna for Geoffrey Ojunga and Nixon Omondi respectively. Tusker also made changes minutes later where Humphrey Mieno and Kevin Okoth came in for Oyugi and Jackson Macharia respectively.Matano’s charges continued to dominate the game ad would add more fresh legs minutes to the final whistle as Shami and John Njuguna were rested for Eric Zakayo and Lawrence Luvanda respectively.Zakayo justified his inclusion as he struck a beauty of a freekick in the last kick of the game to give Tusker the second goal.Tusker XIPatrick Matasi, Jimmy Mbugua, Isaac Kipyegon, Christopher Oruchum, Charles Momanyi, Rodgers Ouma, Shaphan Oyugi, Shami Kibwana, Ibrahim Joshua, Jackson Macharia, John NjugunaSubstitutesMichael Wanjala, Kalos Kirenge, Wellington Ochieng, Eric Zakayo, Humphrey Mieno, David Majak, Apollo Otieno Sofapaka XI Kevin Omondi, Nixon Omondi, David Nshimirimana, Roy Okal, David Otieno, Sébastine Sunday, Titus Achesa, Geoffrey Ojunga, Stephen Okola, Lawrence Juma, Joe WaithiraSubstitutes Frédérick Odhiambo, Dan Guya, Said Tsuma, Hansel Ochieng, Ambrose Sifuna, Alex Imbusia, Hamidi Mohamedp
