Nzoia Sugar dented Tusker’s title chances after holding the Brewers to a two-all draw in an FKF Premier League game staged at the Ruaraka Grounds on Sunday afternoon.FULL TIME. It ends all square. A frustrating afternoon at the Complex. pic.twitter.com/s1bIk7CAJJ— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) May 22, 2022 Heading to the game, the Brewers were keen on returning to winning ways after last weekend’s barren draw against City Stars while Nzoia were keen on getting their first win in eight games.Tusker coach Robert Matano admitted that his team’s defending was not good enough.”We did not play well, we were slow in reaction and did not defend well. Our defending organization today was not good, and we got punished. But all is not lost, the title race will go all the way to the wire and we will keep fighting to the end,” Matano said.”I was confident that we would get something out of this game today. Tusker were under pressure and we knew that it would work to our advantage if we stuck to our game plan. The boys played very well and credit to them, even though we wasted some good chances I believe that we gave a good account of ourselves,” Nzoia coach Salim Babu said.The first chance went Nzoia’s way in the sixth minute when James Kibande set up Joseph Mwangi, the midfielder’s attempt was saved by Patrick Matasi for a corner, from the result corner kick he forced Matasi to pull another superb save. A goal-mouth melee in the 14th minute nearly gifted Nzoia a goal but Tusker defenders did well to block several shots with Matasi out of his goal.The hosts’ first attempt in goal came in the 18th minute when they won a freekick at the edge of the area but John Njuguna’s resultant effort was parried to safety by Nzoia keeper Humphrey Katasi.Nzoia looked dangerous in transition and at the back they continued to deny Tusker a chance to trouble Katasi. The Nzoia keeper was forced to make another good save at the half hour mark denying Isaac Kipyegon whose cross cum shot was goal bound.Five minutes from the break, Tusker got the breakthrough through Ibrahim Joshua in a scrappy fashion. Kipyegon delivered a freekick into the area which Nzoia failed to clear and the Tanzanian striker pounced to bundle home. Tusker took a 1-0 lead to the break.Second half Nine minutes into the second half, Nzoia were denied a leveler through a Charles Momanyi goal-line clearance. Kevin Juma had connected to a Vincent Mahiga delivery from the corner spot only for the lanky defender to clear the ball for a corner kick.The visitors continued to push for a leveler but their several attempts from set pieces did not count early on.Conceding many freekicks would later bite Tusker as Nzoia utilised one to get the equalising goal in the 68th minute. An unmarked Mwangi did well to head a Kibande freekick home and a minute later Levis Okello rattled the upright.Tanzanian import Ibrahim Joshua grabs a brace as Tusker play to a 2-2 draw with Nzoia. Just a matter of time before this guy secures a big move— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) May 22, 2022 From another set piece, Nzoia scored a second goal. Ian Karani did well to next to a Kibande corner kick and two minutes later, Tusker equalised through Ibrahim Joshua who headed home an Eric Zakayo cross.Tusker’s late pressure failed to pay off as they settled for a point.Tusker Starting XI: Patrick Matasi, Isaac Kipyegon, Daniel Sakari, Christopher Oruchum, Charles Momanyi, Humphrey Mieno, John Njuguna, Rodgers Ouma, Ibrahim Joshua, Shami Mwinyi, Shaphan OyugiSubs: Brian Bwire, Kevin Monyi, Piscas Kirenge, Clyde Senaji, Kevin Okoth, Eric Zakayo, Stewart Omondi, David Majak, Deogratius OjokNzoia Sugar Starting XI: Humphrey Katasi, Moses Mwale, Vincent Mahiga, Randi Bakary, Ian Karani, Kevin Juma, Boniface Munyendo, Joseph Mwangi, James Kibande, Felicien Okanda, Levis OkelloSubs: Benson Mangala, Kevin Maliachi, Dan Wafula, Salim Odeka, Ian Simiyu, Alfred Tanui, Titus Kapchanga, Hassan Beja
