Tusker FC are the 2021-2022 Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions after beating Posta Rangers 2-0 in the final game of the season staged at the Ruaraka grounds on Sunday.Following the win, Tusker have successfully retained the title on goal difference grounds as they are tied on points with the second placed Kakamega Homeboyz who were awarded three points after their opponents, Kariobangi Sharks failed to show up.Save from hoisting the new trophy, the Ruaraka based beer makers will pocket two million shillings from the organisers.As soon as centre referee Peter Waweru blasted the final whistle, Tusker players broke into song and dance and would toss coach Robert Matano on the air to celebrate the 13th league crown.Tusker made the intention to win the game clear as they settled first and began to execute the plan with comfort as Rangers who had nothing to lose offered less challenge. Eric Zakayo stung Kelvin Opiyo’s palms in the seventh minute with a hard drilled freakick from the edge of the Rangers box after Ibrahim Joshua went down while under pressure from Bernard Ondiek. David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng went into Peter Waweru’s book in the 12th minute after he elbowed Ibrahim Joshua, a challenge that saw several Rangers players mill around the FIFA whistler contesting the decision. Rangers recovered from the slow start, attempted to string passes together but couldn’t find the breakthrough in the final third, a territory they were met with equal force. What was supposed to be an harmless long pass from Christopher Oruchum in the 21st minute bore the opener for Tusker as Shami Mwinyi controled the ball and fired straight to Opiyo who deflected the ball on the path of the goal scorer, Shaphan Oyugi who tapped in from close range. The Tusker players and members of the technical bench save from coach Robert Matano wheeled to the corner of the pitch to celebrate the opener that came against run of play. Siwa would have completed his brace in the 41st minute after picking a loose ball in the box but his decision to go for the top corner did not yield the intended result as the ball flew off target. Joshua also had a sniff at goal in the dying seconds of the first half but his bicycle kick ended in the hands of Opiyo who had anticipated and covered his near post well. Lawrence Luvanda and Jackson Macharia went in for Shami and Oyugi before restart as Tusker sought to add more firepower in the final third and double the advantage. Macharia nearly sneaked in the ball past Opiyo three minutes after coming on as he poked the ball from close range after Cheche failed to clear the ball. Rangers introduced the duo of Joshua Nyatini and Victor Ndinya for Jackson Dwang and Caleb Olilo in the 56th minute, changes that were aimed at injecting pace on the flanks. The Tusker bench breathed a sigh of relief in the 72nd minute as a goal bound shot by Nyatini was deflected for a corner. Lapses in concentration in the Rangers defence allowed Macharia to tap from close range in the 78th minute after Stewart Omondi who had been given room and time to control the ball in the box squared the ball on his path. Tusker had to play the final eight minutes of the game with a man down after Kevin Monyi was sent off for a second bookable offence.TuskerPatrick Matasi, Kevin Monyi, Daniel Sakari, Christopher Oruchum, Charles Momanyi, Humphrey Mieno, Eric Zakayo(Stewart Omondi) Shaphan Oyugi (Jackson Macharia) , Shami Kibwana (Lawrence Luvanda) , Rodgers Ouma, Ibrahim Joshua (Deogratious Ojok) Substitutes Brian Bwire, Wellington Ochieng, Kalos Kirenge, John NjugunaPosta Rangers Kelvin Opiyo, Sammy Meja, David Ochieng, Kennedy Owino, Vincent Wasambo, Bernard Ondiek, Michael Apudo, Brian Marita, Chrispinus Onyango (Eliud Lokuwam),Jackson Dwang (Joshua Nyatini) , Caleb Olilo( Victor Ndinya) Substitutes Jairus Adira, Francis Nambute, Sammy Odero, Geoffrey Shiveka, Victor Majid, Timothy OtienoCentre Referee: Peter Waweru
