FKF-PL: Ruthless Nzoia Sugar dislodge Tusker from top spot

Nzoia Sugar on Wednesday cruised to the top of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League with an emphatic 4-0 thrashing of Wazito at Sudi Stadium in Bungoma County.

The sugar millers now lead the log with 21 points from 10 matches same as KCB who hold an inferior goal difference. 

The bankers beat Nairobi City Stars by a solitary goal at Moi International Sports Center Kasarani Annex.

Defending champions Tusker dropped points for the third consecutive match after battling to a 2-2 draw with FC Talanta at Ruaraka Grounds.

At MISC angry Gor Mahia fans jeered their team for playing out to a barren draw against Sofapaka in a game the hosts missed a couple of chances. 

AFC Leopards put an end to a string of poor results with a 2-1 win over bottom-placed Mathare United at Nyayo National Stadium.

In an early kick off at MISC Kasarani Annex, visiting Vihiga Bullets held Kariobangi Sharks to a 3-3 draw.

Former champions Ulinzi Stars' impressive form continued as they stopped Bandari 2-1 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata Barracks.

At Kasarani, a section of Gor Mahia fans blasted coach Jonathan McKinistry and even questioned his tactics, asking whether he is the right man to help Gor reclaim the league title. 

"I'm pissed off with this coach. As a fan I'm not happy at how we have played," said an angry fan.

At Sudi, Nzoia Sugar striker Joseph Mwangi bagged a hat-trick while midfielder Hassan Beja added the extras to give the hosts a big lead. In the second half, Wazito put up a spirited fight to avoid losing by a bigger margin. 

“This is our season and I can assure you we are going for this title. We are unbeaten here at Sudi and will do our best to ensure we bag maximum points at this ground. I want to commend my players for their hunger for goals even when we were leading at half-time. Wazito had to defend well in the second half,” said Nzoia Sugar coach Salim Babu.

At Kasarani Annex, Kennedy Owino scored the lone goal in the 11th minute as KCB thwarted many goal attempts from Simba wa Nairobi to bag maximum points.

For the first time this season, Tusker dropped to the third position after losing a comfortable 2-0 lead which they had in the first 10 minutes. Midfielder Shami Kibwana and Tanzanian import Ibrahim Joshua scored the two goals in a game Tusker dictated proceedings in the first half.

However, FC Talanta reduced the deficit when Brian Yakhama scored from a freekick in the 33rd minute to bag his seventh goal of the season and go top of the Golden Boot race. 

Forward Dennis Oalo added the second goal at the hour mark from a set piece to take the game to a nervous ending as both sides shared the spoils.

“Again as I have always said this is football, you take your chances you win. We were unlucky but poor defending gave our opponents their goals. This trend of dropping points has to stop,” said coach Robert Matano.

At Nyayo, Moses Oundo and Cliff Nyakeya were on target for AFC Leopards while Levin Odhiambo scored the consolation goal for Slum Boys. 

Teenager Staphod Odhiambo scored a brace for Ulinzi Stars while Abdallah Hassan scored the lone goal for Bandari.

Despite a good show, Kariobangi Sharks surrendered their lead thrice to settle for a 3-3 draw with Vihiga Bullets. Moses Shikanda scored a brace for coach William Muluya's side while Sigmun Maina added the third for the hosts.

Bullets goals were netted by Nickson Khalwale, Nicholas Masamba and Victor Ogola. 

Wednesday results 

Tusker 2 2  FC Talanta

Gor Mahia 0 0 Sofapaka

Nzoia Sugar  4 0 Wazito

Ulinzi Stars 2 1 Bandari 

Kariobangi Sharks 3 3 Vihiga Bullets

Nairobi City Stars 0 1 KCB

AFC Leopards 2 1 Mathare United

Thursday fixtures

Posta Rangers v Kenya Police (Kasarani Annex 1pm)

Bidco United v Kakamega Homeboyz (Kasarani Annex 3pm)