Ojok's last gasp goal hands Tusker smash and grab win over AFC Leopards

Tusker received a shot in the arm after beating Gor Mahia 2-0 last time out that kept them just within touching distance of log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz and keep their title hopes alive. AFC Leopards on the other hand were from a disappointing 1-1 draw against relegation threatened Wazito FC in a game that they failed to turn up and were lucky to collect a point in the encounter.

The Brewers head coach Robert Matano was unhappy with the numerous chances they wasted in the first half but credit his opponents of the day for a good display in the encounter.

"It was a good but tough game, we wasted a number of chances in the first half and we shouldn't have waited until the last minute to get the winning goal but AFC Leopards really played well in the game and we are happy to get three points.I've seen the replays there was an AFC Leopards player keeping Ojok onside so I do not understand why they are claiming that the goal was offside," said Matano.

AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems was dejected about the nature of goal they conceded in the dying minutes of the game and gave a chilling account of the referee's who handled the game.

"We started the game poorly because the first 15 minutes was dominated by Tusker but in the second half we had more chances but losing the game in there sort of circumstances. I saw the clip and the goal was clearly offside, for now we have to prepare for next season. From the beginning the referee's performance was not good, the lines woman told me that Patrick Matasi should have not started because he has an injured shoulder, how did she know that?" said Matano.

The Brewers were off to a flyer, keeping Ingwe on the back foot in the opening minutes as it only took four minutes for them to create their first chance when Lawrence Luvanda floated in a cross that was nodded on target by Tanzanian import Ibrahim Joshua but Levis Opiyo's outstretched arm prevented the opener.

After creating the first chance Luvanda came close to breaking the deadlock three minutes later when skipper Humphrey Mieno who inherited the armband from Eugene Asike after departing for Swedish side Karlstad played in a sublime pass but the former Vihiga United midfielder shot just wide off the mark.

Having come close on two occasions it was third time lucky for Tusker as Shaphan Oyugi threaded in a neat through ball to Luvanda whose bright start to the game was rewarded in the 13th as he rounded the keeper to tap the ball into the open net.

Tusker were on the ascendency and almost doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Daniel Sakari made a marauding run on the right flank evading a number of tackles before chipping the ball past Levis Opiyo but Joachim Oluoch recovered to make a goal line clearance with the Ingwe faithful inside the stadium breathing a collective sight of relief.

The frenetic start to the game fizzled off as both teams struggled to create clear cut chances as the clash was mostly dominated in the midfield with Tusker heading into the interval with a slender 1-0 lead.

Second half

Ingwe head coach Patrick Aussems had some stern words for his charges at half time which was evident from the bright start to the second half they posted as Nigerian forward Fasanami Olaniyi broke free in the 7th minute and stung the palms of Patrick Matasi with a ferocious shot but the former Posta Rangers custodian was up to the task.

With wind in their sails, Ingwe came close again in the 58th minute when Victor Omune who was one of the shining lights for Ingwe dinked the ball over the Tusker defense line with Makwata running through to connect the ball but his touch was heavy as the ball flew over the bar.

Aussems' charges were finally rewarded for their relentlessness in the 82 minute when Washington Munene floated in a cross that was partially cleared by the Tusker back line with Brian Wanyama reloading a shot that was elegantly flicked into the back of the net by Fasanami Olaniyi who oozed class with the finish.

With the game seemingly headed to a draw, up stepped Deogracious Ojok who nonchalantly controlled Daniel Sakari's cross and just had the time to fire the ball into the net with virtually the last kick of the game to gift Tusker all three points.

After full time a number of Ingwe staff from the technical bench accosted the referee and the lines people as they sought answers for the late goal which they claimed was offside.