Simiyu brace helps Tusker avenge last season’s 7–1 loss to Sofapaka as Brewers move joint top

Ian Simiyu scored a brace as Tusker beat Sofapaka 2-0 on Sunday, 14 December at Kasarani Annex to shoot to joint top of the FKF Premier League.

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The forward, who was the only change for Charles Okere’s side, netted twice in eight second half minutes, giving The Brewers their third consecutive win, which took them level with league-leaders Kenya Police on 21 points, but only second due to an inferior goal difference.

Built up as a game Tusker had to use to bury their 7-1 humiliation to Ezekiel Akwana’s side, it was the former Nzoia Sugar man who came up with the goods, giving Okere another win that he will use to justify the board sticking with him during troubled times at the club.

The opening goal of the rescheduled tie came in the 70th minute, when Simiyu saw his shot from the left comically bobble between the legs of Sofapaka keeper Edward Olak, who was standing at his near post.

The strike, which was Simiyu’s second at the club since his February acquisition, came as a relief for Tusker, who had seven minutes earlier seen a Charles Momanyi header at the backpost chalked off, despite looking to have crossed the line.

It did not take long for Simiyu to put the game to bed however, as he was the recipient of a fine78th minute delivery from substitute Eric Kapaito, needing only to calmly slot into the net for his brace.

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In a week where Okere asked his strikers to add to their tally, he would have been delighted with the team’s offense overperforming on their average goals per game ratio, and importantly awarding their defense for keeping another clean sheet.

With Curtis Wekesa having left the club on Saturday for police training, Simiyu was the only new entrant to Okere's team a day later, as the men in yellow looked to build on their recent wins over Mara Sugar and Ulinzi Stars, while also taking advantage of slip-ups from the teams at the top.

Tusker's intentions were all to see from the start, with in-form Dennis Oalo and Fabian Adikiny going close for an opener inside the first 20 minutes.

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Thomas Omolle, in the 37th minute, got the better of his marker to hit the side-netting, and Cliff Oruko should have done better after the break, to stick in his effort from the edge of the box.

Momanyi thought he had opened the scoring in the 63rd minute when he guided home a freekick from Simiyu, but was stunned to see his header count, with the Sofapaka defense clearing a ball that was seemingly over the line.

Simiyu would make amends with his quick double, which ultimately gave The Brewers the win they deserved.

After a difficult start, things are suddenly looking up for Okere.