FKFPL: Okere at ease as Oalo's early strike lifts resurgent Tusker over Bidco

Dennis Oalo scored his second goal in as many matches as Tusker continued their FKF Premier League resurgence with a 1-0 victory over Bidco United at Kasarani Annex on Friday, 7 November.

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Oalo, an off-season signing from Nairobi City Stars, scored inside the first three minutes to give The Brewers their third win of the season, keeping up their recent upturn of form that has them riding on a six-game unbeaten run.

The experienced forward, in as a replacement for injured striker Eric Kapaito, took advantage of a quick start for Tusker, rounding off a fine move from the hosts to knock in a fine pass from Cliff Oruko after only 130 seconds.

The goal proved to be a key turning point in the game, as Bidco, who fell to their second defeat of the season, chased all afternoon, but failed to find a crucial touch to turn the tie around.

Victory for Tusker pushed them a place above Anthony Akhulia's side in fifth, having amassed 12 points from the opening eight games.

Match Report

In their return to footballing action in Nairobi since early October, Tusker coach Charles Okere sounded three traits he wanted his side display: solidity, resilience and tenacity.

It is fair to say he got that - and more - as the hosts got out of the blocks just as he wanted, putting a lackluster Bidco on the back-foot immediately after kickoff, and seizing initiative the first time.

A rapid buildup from the back in the third minute saw Oruko jink past a couple of defenders on the right, before cutting back to Oalo to push his strike past Issa Emuria.

Oalo, coming in for dependable Kapaito, with the goal made it two on the bounce, having opened his scoring for the Brewers last weekend in the travels to Kakamega.

A platform had been laid for Tusker to see out a third win of the season, and so it turned out as their improving defense warded off tame efforts from Bidco to relieve any pressure that had been growing on Okere.

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A frustrated Akhulia, perhaps dissatisfied with his team's approach, made an early substitution in the first half, but while play settled, failed to see his players test Brian Opondo in the opposing goal.

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A header from skipper Dennis Murunga in the second half was all Bidco wrote - excluding a couple of offside flags when the antsy away forwards got trapped by Tusker's highline.

All of David Polepole, Vincent Owino and Dennis Oguta had further chances to add to Bidco's misery, but all missed the target.

That did not hurt them on this day, which proved to be another step in the right direction for Okere, and another slide for Akhulia.