Tusker, Sofapaka fire blanks at Ruaraka
Tusker FC's Ibrahim Joshua (left) vies for the ball with Sofapaka's Stephen Okola during their Football Kenya Federation match at Ruaraka on December 12, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Moments later, the visitors had a chance the other end, but Juma's free-kick went off.
- Sofapaka then introduced Hansel Ocheing and Alex Imbusia for Joe Waithera and Nixon Omondi respectively.
- But even with the changes, neither side found the back of the other's net to bag maximum points.
Defending champions Tusker and Sofapaka on Sunday settled for a barren draw in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) staged at Ruaraka grounds in Nairobi.
In another match, AFC Leopards drew 1-1 with Vihga Bullets at Bukhugu Stadium. Elsewhere, Posta Rangers beat FC Talanta 2-0 at Thika Stadium.
AFC Leopards players celebrate a goal against Vihiga Bullets during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega on December 12, 2021.
At Utalii grounds, KCB beat Ulinzi Stars 2-0 to move into second place on 18 points, same as leaders Gor Mahia and third placed Kakamega Homeboyz.
It was the first league match for Tusker since November 7 when they lost 3-0 to Kariobangi Sharks at Moi International Stadium in Nairobi.
The brewers did not resume league action with the rest of the teams on December 4due to their participation in Caf Confederation Cup, where they exited following a 1-0 aggregate loss to Tunisia's CS Sfaxien in the final round of the play-off stage.
The draw means Tusker's search for a third win of the season continues. Out of the six matches that the brewers have played, they have triumphed in two - 2-0 over Wazito and 2-1 over Kenya Police. Their two other losses are - 1-0 to Leopards and 2-1 to FC Talanta.
Sofapaka came into this clash on an impressive form of three wins in a row. With the match being Boniface Muchiri's last with Tusker since joining five years ago, his team mates, the technical bench and handful of their supporters honoured him with an applause just before kick-off.
The attacker, who is expected to join the Kenya Defence Forces in January, then presented Tusker's coach Robert Matano with his number seven jersey that had his name christened behind it.
In response, coach Matano bid him farewell with a pat on the head, before they posed for memento photos together with captain Eugene Asike and other members of the technical bench.
Tusker piled pressure high immediately and the visitors survived on three minutes when striker Ibrahim Joshua narrowly failed to head in former Ingwe defender Isaac Kipyegon's weighty cross from the left.
'Batoto ba Mungu' who were struggling to make inroads in Tusker's area, were awarded a free kick on the left, and skipper Lawrence Juma forced goalkeeper Patrick Matasi to a brilliant save.
It was Matasi's league debut since he rejoined Tusker in the August - November transfer window.
Sofapaka's defender David Odhiambo was lucky not to score in his own net at the half-hour mark, as his clearance inside the box from Daniel Sakari's incoming cross from the right flew high narrowly.
Clyde Senaji's free-kick from a promising position five minutes later was blocked by Sofapaka's wall - the attempt being the last action of the match for the former Leopards man as he was immediately replaced by Rodgers Ouma.
Sofapaka threatened immediately after the restart, Roy Okal's rebound from outside the box going off.
Fifteen minutes into the second-half, coach Matano added fresh legs in John Njuguna and Kevin Okoth for the injured Kipyegon and Joshua respectively.
Ouma should have fired Tusker ahead on 66 minutes, but his header was blocked by Sofapaka's goalkeeper Kevin Omondi.
Moments later, the visitors had a chance the other end, but Juma's free-kick went off.
Sofapaka then introduced Hansel Ocheing and Alex Imbusia for Joe Waithera and Nixon Omondi respectively.
But even with the changes, neither side found the back of the other's net to bag maximum points.
