Kenyan champions Tusker have kept their hopes of retaining the league title alive after narrowly edging debutants FC Talanta 1-0 at the Ruaraka grounds in an FKFPL match played on Saturday afternoon. The slim win that came courtesy of Rodgers Ouma was enough to send the beer makers to three points within the reach of leaders Kakamega Homeboyz who have a match in hand.AAAAND BREATHE!!!FULL TIME at the Complex.FULL SHANGWE.NDOVU? pic.twitter.com/YlIdJgP1qD— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) April 30, 2022 Talanta quest for early goals was rife from onset as they threw everything to the Tusker defense but lack of precision worked against them as none of the moves ended past or in the hands of Patrick Matasi. Tusker, perhaps buoyed by the fact that victory would take them to three points within the reach of league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz recovered from the nervous start and began eating into Talanta’s dominance as the clock continued to tick. Just like Talanta, their attacks did little in breaching the wall that broke sweat to deal with the long balls aimed at Ibrahim Joshua whose height gave him an advantage over his markers. What looked like an harmless goal kick from Matasi in the 30th minute turned to be the game changer for Tusker as the ball landed to Shaphan Siwa who squared it to the onrushing Rodgers Ouma. he latter unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box, catching Kevin Otieno flat footed as the ball kissed the upright enroute to the back of the net. The goal injected more fighting spirit to Tusker as they took control of the proceedings and made Talanta to work more in defending as more missiles were directed to their goal. Tusker were forced to a unwanted substitution towards the dying minutes of the first half as Lawrence Luvanda limped off with his place taken by Stewart Omondi. Talanta also rung double changes shortly before restart where Peter Njammah and the evergreen Edwin Lavatsa came in for the injured Alvin Ochieng and Brian Yakhama respectively. The fresh legs were intended to cause trouble to the Tusker defence but were largely ineffective as the champions continued to enjoy dominance and would have doubled their advantage in the 67th minute but Siwa’s shot came off the woodwork. A minute after missing the open chance, Siwa was rested for John Njuguna while Ibrahim paved way for Deogratious Ojok whose first touch would have resulted to the second goal but once again, the crossbar came to the rescue of Talanta. Tusker who were the better side throughout would have added more goals from the chances created but settled on the slim win thanks to the resolute defending by the hosts. FC Talanta XI: Kevin Otieno, Thomas Wainaina, Shela Mandela, Nicodemus Malika, Alvin Ochieng, Michael Jairo, Barrack Odhiambo, Michael Bodo, Dennis Oalo, Brian Yakhama, Vincent Otieno Substitutes: James Omusinde, Peter Njammah,Castro Ogendo, Edwin Lavatsa, Gershon Likono, Eugene AmbulwaTusker XI: Patrick Matasi, Isaac Kipyegon, Christopher Oruchum, Daniel Sakari, Rodgers Ouma, Momanyi Charles, Lawrence Luvanda, Humphrey Mieno, Ibrahim Joshua, Siwa Shaphan, Shami MwinyiSubstitutes: Michael Wanjala, Kevin Monyi, Kalos Kirenge, John Njuguna, Stewart Omondi, Deogratious Ojok, Jackson Macharia, Clyde Senaji
