Big Tanzanian forward strikes twice as Tusker floor Homeboyz to extend fine run under French coach
Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 15.03.26. | 16:32
Joshua rejoined Tusker in the mid-season transfer window
Twelve-time champions Tusker FC produced a disciplined performance to defeat Kakamega Homeboyz 2–0 in a FKF Premier League clash staged at Wang'uru Stadium.
Forward Ibrahim Joshua emerged the hero of the afternoon, netting a brace to hand the Brewers maximum points.
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With points at stake for both sides, Homeboyz entered the encounter determined to reduce the nine-point gap separating them from league leaders Gor Mahia and strengthen their pursuit of a maiden league title.
Tusker, on the other hand, were keen to climb up the table and secure a respectable finish as the campaign edges closer to its conclusion.
The match began at a cautious pace with both teams seeking to settle into rhythm.
Homeboyz threatened first inside five minutes through Rodgers Ouma, who collected the ball outside the box and unleashed a low drive that narrowly missed the target.
The visitors continued to probe and nearly found the breakthrough moments later when John Omondi whipped in a teasing delivery that almost crept into the net, but Tusker goalkeeper Pavelh Ndiza reacted swiftly to parry the danger away.
Despite Homeboyz enjoying the better share of possession, Tusker struck against the run of play a minute after the quarter-hour mark.
A back pass from Boniface Onyango to goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala resulted in a costly misstep by the custodian, allowing Joshua to close down quickly and block the ball into the net for the opener.
The visitors almost responded immediately two minutes later when Peter Thiong'o capitalized on a loose ball inside the Tusker defence, but with only the goalkeeper to beat the former AFC Leopards captain misdirected his effort wide.
Homeboyz kept pushing forward and came close again in the 20th minute through Oliver Majaka, whose powerful attempt from the edge of the area sailed inches over the bar.
As the half progressed, the Kakamega-based outfit continued dictating the tempo.
A well-worked move involving Moses Mudavadi and Majaka eventually set up Glen Masava, but the midfielder’s effort skimmed narrowly over the crossbar.
Majaka had another golden opportunity just before the half-hour mark after beating the offside trap to meet Thiong’o’s lofted pass, but his attempted lob drifted agonizingly wide.
Tusker nearly doubled their lead moments later when two-time league 'Golden Boot' winner Erick Kapaito connected with a well-laid pass from Collins Odhiambo, only for Wanzala to produce a crucial save from close range.
However, Tusker eventually doubled their advantage eight minutes before the break.
A deep ball from Servly Akuola picked out Joshua in stride, and the striker muscled past his marker before unleashing a stunning outside-foot strike that ricocheted off the upright and into the net for his second of the afternoon.
Homeboyz continued searching for a response before halftime, but efforts from Thiong’o and Majaka failed to trouble the scoreboard as Tusker headed into the break comfortably leading 2–0.
Upon resumption, the visitors returned with renewed determination.
Majaka and Thiong’o both tested the Tusker defence early in the second half, but their attempts drifted off target.
Tusker almost added a third when Kapaito pounced on a defensive clearance by Shafik Batambuze, but his effort struck the woodwork.
The forward threatened again moments later, flashing a powerful strike narrowly wide after a neat setup from Joshua.
Homeboyz nearly reduced the deficit at the hour mark when substitute Pistone Mutamba rose highest to meet Thiong’o’s cross, but Ndiza produced a brilliant save to deny the lanky forward.
Tusker continued to create chances, with young attacker Thomas Omolle volleying inches wide after a clever cut-back from Kapaito.
The visitors kept pressing, and Henry Omollo forced Ndiza into action with a long-range strike before Mudavadi also fired wide following a clever through ball from Ouma.
Late chances fell for both sides, with substitute Ian Simiyu testing Wanzala while Ouma came close with a header from Omollo’s cross, but Tusker held firm to secure all three points.
The victory marked a third consecutive league win for Tusker under French tactician Julien Mette, lifting the Brewers to sixth place on the standings with 37 points.
For Homeboyz, the defeat proved a significant setback in their title ambitions as the side coached by Patrick Odhiambo remains fourth on the table, now trailing leaders Gor Mahia by 12 points.