KCB pip Nzoia Sugar, but miss out on Caf Champs League
KCB players celebrate their goal against Nzoia Sugar during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Ruaraka grounds on June 30, 2021.
What you need to know:
- KCB were then forced to make a change seven minutes into the second-half after David Simiyu picked an injury, Victor Omondi taking his place.
- With KCB dictating the exchange, Nzoia coach Ibrahim Shikanda sought to improve things by introducing Hillary Simiyu and Leonard Kasembeli for Gaetan Masha and Muchuma respectively.
- However, despite the late pressure, the bankers held on for the win.
KCB on Wednesday beat Nzoia Sugar 2-1 in Football Kenya Federation Premeier League (FKF-PL) staged at Ruaraka grounds in Nairobi.
But the hard-fought victory only put the bankers on course to bagging their maiden title of the competition, as Tusker thumphed Ulinzi Stars 4-1 at ASK Showgrounds in Nakuru to clinch a ticket to next season's CAF Champions League ticket.
FKF Secretary Barry Otieno had Monday said that they will submit the name of Kenya’s representative at the prestigious continental club showpiece Wednesday, since they have not received any communication from Caf that it pushed the deadline from June 30 to July 31.
Reagan Otieno and Simon Munala's first-half goals reduced Ronack Elvis's early strike to a consolation goal for the cane-cutters, who remain winless in their last eight matches.
KCB remain second on 46 points, one behind leaders Tusker, while Nzoia are 14th on 17 points.
"It was a good match and we thank the boys for giving their best. We congratulate and wish them (Tusker) well in the Caf Champions League. For us we will continue to work hard and see if we can win the league," said KCB's assistant coach Geodffrey Oduor.
His Nzoia's counterpart Peter Mwaura said:" We missed a couple of chances in the first half, but that is the nature of football. We are not playing badly and what we are missing is luck. There are many matches that are still remaining so we will continue working hard in them to avoid relegation."
Nzoia would have taken the lead on 12 minutes, but Elisha Wekesa planted his long-range strike over the bar narrowly.
The millers continued to pile pressure on their opponents and KCB goalkeeper Joseph Okoth made a fingertip save six minutes later to deny Philip Muchuma.
They took a deserved lead one minute later througth Elvis, who beat goalkeeper Humphey Katasi with a header from corner-kick delivery.
But their hopes hopes of completing a double over the bankers suffered a blow on 44 minutes when Otieno rose high to head in Baraka Badi's free-kick from the right.
One minute later, captain Munala, who was making a return from a one-month injury lay-off, put KCB ahead from the spot after Kevin Malachi handled the ball inside his area.
KCB were then forced to make a change seven minutes into the second-half after David Simiyu picked an injury, Victor Omondi taking his place.
With KCB dictating the exchange, Nzoia coach Ibrahim Shikanda sought to improve things by introducing Hillary Simiyu and Leonard Kasembeli for Gaetan Masha and Muchuma respectively.
However, despite the late pressure, the bankers held on for the win.
