Leopards falter as Tusker extend lead in KPL
Tusker extended their lead at the top of the Kenya Premier League, as Gor Mahia got back to winning ways and AFC Leopards flopped against KRA in midweek matches.
Jesse Were’s first half strike was enough for Tusker to beat Sony Sugar at the Ruaraka grounds on Wednesday and take the Brewers to 18 points as Francis Kimanzi’s side continue to underline their credentials as title contenders.
Defending champions Gor Mahia moved up to third place after earning a 3-2 nervy win over KCB at the City Stadium.
The game that saw police lob tear gas at the final whistle to disperse Gor Mahia fans who were pelting stones at the match officials over alleged poor officiating.
Rama Salim, Innocent Mutiso and David Owino fired Gor into a three nil lead after 60 minutes, but a wasteful Kogallo were almost made to pay as KCB pulled two back through Crispin Onyango and Paul Kiongera penalty to set up a tense finish.
Gor however held on for their first win in five matches and are now four points behind the league leaders Tusker.
At the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium, AFC Leopards were shocked by a resilient KRA side that worked hard and scored the only goal of the game through Geoffrey Kataka who tapped in Roosevelt Blaty’s cross on the stroke of halftime.
This was Leoprad’s second loss of the season.
The outcome piles more pressure on Leopards coach James Nandwa who has been the object of the club fans’ ire.
At Mumias Sports Complex, Robert Matano’s Ulinzi Stars finally registered their first win of the season with a 1-0 defeat of Western Stima thanks to Stephen Waruru’s effort.