11 June 2011
Nairobi — Table leaders Rangers, Tusker FC and KCB were all handed rare losses on a day basement clubs, Bandari and Nairobi City Stars notched up precious wins in Kenyan Premier League matches on Saturday.
A 26th minute header by Hamisi Zuberi is all Bandari needed to beat top-of-the-table Rangers 1-0 in a tough but entertaining encounter at Mombasa Sports Club.
Abdulwahab Musa picked a loose ball in midfield and side-stepped Harambee Stars defender Pascal Ochieng before releasing Zuberi who obliged with a firm header to sent the partisan crowd into a frenzy.
International forward Kevin Ocheing was sent off in the second half when he deliberately hit a balls boy with a hard shot prompting protests from the Bandari players.
Wahab Musa could have doubled Bandari’s lead five minutes from time when he unleashed a block buster that hit the upright with the goalkeeper well beaten.
Defending champions Ulinzi Stars drowned the visiting Tusker 1-0 in a thrilling tie at the water-drenched Afraha Stadium.
Ulinzi got the perfect start, evergreen Anthony Nderitu floating a corner that was superbly connected home by Geoffrey Kokoyo barely a minute into the game.
In the 15th minute Ulinzi’s Mike Baraza out witted his markers only to see his powerful shot rattle the upright
Stephen Waruru almost added Ulinzi’s second goal in the dying moments but his well taken short was stopped by goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch and in the counter-attack Tusker strikers led by Maurice Odipo failed to make use of two excellent chances they created.
Chemelil Sugar grabbed the winner late in the match through Tony Opondo’s header to condemn the bankers to a 2-1 loss.
Both teams had traded goals in the first half, veteran Mike Mururi heading Chemelil in the lead early on before Paul Mungai’s 20-yard drive restored parity.
Amazing turnaround
Francis Thairu scored in each half against Mathare United as Nairobi City Stars won 2-0, only their third KPL victory this season.
He opened the score after 24 minutes before he put the match beyond United in the 65th minute with another cool finish.
The result capped an amazing turnaround with United looking out of contention after they were outclassed by the home side.
City Stars were ahead inside the first 20 minutes when Thairu tapped in a rebound of Kevin Omondi’s effort as United’s lack of a holding midfielder allowed the hosts to dictate the game.
The City boys ended the first halfwith unending shots at goal.
Charles Nyende, Sammy Kitula, Philip Onyango and Francis Mureithi
AllAfrica – All the Time