FKFPL: Gor shoot down Ulinzi, Tusker labours for a point as Murang'a Seal's brilliant start continues

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia needed a first half strike from Kevin Juma to floor Ulinzi Stars 1-0 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex to register the first win in the 2023-2024 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) season.

While the result is definitely welcome to the Gor faithful, it leaves Ulinzi under pressure as the four-time league champions have now suffered back to back defeats.

Gor opened the season with a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka while Ulinzi bowed 2-1 to Nzoia Sugar in day one of the campaign.

It was also a good day in the office for debutants Murang'a Seal as they beat Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 at St. Sebastian Park.

Titus Kapchanga was the hero of the game as his late goal saw Seal bag maximum points for the second time in the campaign as the newcomers beat Shabana by a similar scoreline in day one.

Last season's runner up Tusker needed a late own goal to salvage a point against Kariobangi Sharks at the Ruaraka grounds.

Sharks did everything right in the first half but scoring as the team dominated the game and on top of that schooled Tusker with their eye-catching style of play.

FKFPL: Otanga delighted with opening goal, eyes more

Wilson Stanley was a joy to watch as the youngster displayed top of the drawer ball handling handling skills and made mockery of the Tusker defence, dribbling past his markers with ease whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Tusker shot stopper Brian Bwire made two decent saves in the first five minutes of the gap, coming off his territory to deny Moses Shikanda and Leon Otieno who were evidently desperate to find the back of the net early on.

Sharks shot stopper Bernard Jairo had also some work to do in the first half, putting his palms on the line twice to save hard drilled shots from James Kibande.

The custodian, further made a fingertip save to stop Fabian Adikiny from scoring on his debut in the league and club as well.

Apart from the three chances, Tusker spent the better part of the half trying to contain pressure from Sharks who were all over and ran the show in all departments.

Tusker stabilized late in the half but appeared to play cautiously not to leave massive space in their half as the fast Sharks had proven to thrive when given enough breathing space.

Second half

Sharks picked from where they left in the first half upon resumption for the final half, asking several questions at the Tusker area.

Their quest bore fruits in the 57th minute when Keith Imbali plundered home the ball from close range after finding space to shoot.

The goal came as a result of the donkey work done by Wilson who left two of his markers on the floor before laying the ball on the path of Imbali who whipped it hard on the bottom corner.

The three changes Tusker made the difference as the tie swung in their favour, taking control and began raiding Sharks in search for the equalizer.

Tusker leveled matters in the 81st minute through an own goal after Levin Odhiambo whipped in a low cross that was deflected to the top corner.

Reacting to the point gained, Tusker boss Robert Matano lamented on the chances that went begging especially in the second half.

“We lost chances, clear cut ones. The players are gelling well and it’s a matter of time before we have rhythm. It wasn’t our plan to drop points but we have appreciated what we have got today considering that we came from a goal down,” said Matano.

His opposite number William Muluya was equally frustrated with the lost chances and the two points in a game that they dominated.

“We expected a win. We dominated the and created chances in the first half. When you come up against a team of Tusker’s calibre, you ought to make your chances count,” he said.

Tusker squad: Brian Bwire, Jimmy Mbugua,Michael Kibwage,Charles Momanyi,Boniface Onyango(Levin Odhiambo 61), Fabian Adikiny,James Kibande (LawrenceLuvanda 77),Joseph Mwangi (John Njuguna 77),Shaphan Siwa, John Byamukama (Erick Zakayo 61), Deogratious Ojok( Erick Kapaito 61)

Unused substitutes

Brian Opondo, Collins Otieno,Eugene Asike,Eric Otieno

Kariobangi Sharks squad: Bernard Jairo, Stephen Biko, Timothy Ekhavi,Geoffrey Onyango,Kevin Musamali, Biron Otieno, Stanley Wilson (Luke Otiala 65),Leonlevit Otieno,Julius Masaba, Moses Shikanda(Mathew Kibiwott 77).

Unused substitutes

Kevin Ouru,Ghai Panchol,Sigmunn Maina,Isaac Otieno,Abdulrahman Bwanashukuri