Defending champions Tusker have moved to six points within the reach of Football Kenya Federation Premier League leaders Kakamega Homeboyz after narrowly edging Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 at the Ruaraka grounds.Tusker bagged the 12th win of the season courtesy of Tanzanian import Joshua Ibrahim who struck in the first half to see his side take home all the three points.Following the win, the brewers are now unbeaten in ten successive league matches. On the other hand, Sharks are now winless in four rounds.Tusker unleashed their beast mode from onset, throwing everything to the Sharks goal that was heavily guarded by the defence and the retreating forwards who had to come to the aid of the overwhelmed rear men.The tactical masterclass by Robert Matano to deny Sharks the space to execute their free flowing football proved spot on as they struggled to string passes in the tight spaces and spend the better part of the final in their half trying to contain the pressure. It took the visitors 21 minutes to test Tusker goalkeeper Patrick Matasi who comfortably gathered a free kick from Douglas Mokaya. Sharks had been awarded the foul from the edge of the box after Isaac Kipyegon brought his namesake Isaac Wasambo down.Three minutes later, Tusker rung their first change, albeit a unwanted one as Shaphan Siwa paved way for Shami Mwinyi after he collided with Sharks goalkeeper Brandon Obiero while jostling for an aerial ball.The pressure to break the deadlock paid off for Tusker in the 31st minute when Ibrahim Joshua headed home a cross from John Njuguna to register his eighth goal of the season. Tusker continued to exert their weight on the gas pedal in search for the second goal but Sharks defended resolutely and had to make their first change in the 40th minute in a move to breath life into the midfield that missed the constant figure Patilah Omoto who is unwell.William Muluya brought in the frenetic Geoffrey Onyango for Reagan Odede who was largely ineffective in the minutes he lasted on the pitch.Sharks were forced to make another change before restart where Tom Teka replaced Samuel Olwande who went down awkwardly in the final seconds of the first half. With the three points within a touching distance, Muluya further rested Felix Oluoch for Steve Otieno.The changes made before the second half injected the much needed urgency in the Sharks side as they managed to test Matasi regularly unlike in the first half where the glove man had little to do.To check the pressure from Sharks, Matano threw in the duo of Humphrey Mieno and Deogratious Ojok in the 57th minute for Clyde Senaji and Eric Zakayo respectively.The two sides continued to wrestle each other with Tusker pushing for the second goal while Sharks intensified the hunt for the equalizer.Tusker who brought Kalos Kirenge and Lawrence Luvanda in the final minutes of the game for Shami and Njuguna held on the slim advantage up to the final whistle.Tusker XIPatrick Matasi, Jimmy Mbugua, Christopher Oruchum,Isaac Kipyegon,Charles Momanyi, Clyde Senaji (Humphrey Mieno)Shaphan Siwa (Shami Mwinyi), Ibrahim Joshua,Eric Zakayo (DeogratiousOjok), Rodgers Ouma, John Njuguna (Lawrence Luvanda)Unused substitutes Michael Wanjala, Daniel Sakari, Kevin Okoth,Kalos Kirenge,Kevin Okoth Kariobangi Sharks XIBrandon Obiero, Frédérick Alushula,Julius Masaba (John Omondi), Boniface Onyango,Alphonce Omija,Samuel Olwande (Tom Teka), Douglas Mokaya,Reagan Odede (GeoffreyOnyango), Isaac Wasambo (Keith Imbali), Fortune Omoto,Felix Oluoch(Steve Otieno)Unused substitutes John Otieno, Ziyadi Kiwanuka, Enock Wanyama, Ken KyaloCentre Referee: Yassin Badir
