Vihiga handed walkover as Ushuru, City Stars deadlock
Evans Makori of Ushuru (left) fights for the ball with Lucky Eme of Coast Stima during their NSL match played at Camp Toyoyo grounds yesterday. PD/RODGERS NDEGWA
Ushuru threw away the lead twice to draw 2-2 with visiting Coast Stima as the National Super League entered round 15 yesterday.
Alex Juma was in the thick of both goals for the taxmen as he caused havoc when with the ball as well as off it during his 60 minutes on the pitch.
As early as the sixth minute, the lively winger was fouled in the opponents box and left-back Evans Mariachi stepped up to steer home the spot kick past Stima custodian Godfrey Lowo. Nine minutes later, Eric Ombija headed in the equaliser from a corner kick by Dominic Waithaka before the break to keep Stima in the game.
The second half saw Ushuru up the ante especially from captain Barack Odhiambo and Jeremiah Wanjala. A good wide cross from midfielder Victor Ayugi reached an unmarked Sunga who stepped forward with an exquisite shot from 10 yards for a 2-1 lead. However, the visitors came unstuck as they looked for an equaliser from all corners occasionally switching off as Ushuru attempted to catch them off-guard with good press.
Sixth-placed Ushuru then introduced Michael Osundwa and Ezekiel Otuoma to try and run rugged the tiring Stima defence but they held steady. However, in the 87th minute, Kassim Dzai stepped up to take a spot kick for the equaliser after pressure in the box led to a handball.
Meanwhile, a 45th minute strike from Clement Masidiki and a late penalty from John Ndirangu was enough for Mt Kenya United to do the damage to struggling Administration Police (AP) who have won just three matches in 14 matches this season. The loss keeps AP in a precarious 15th position with 14 points. Bigwigs Shabana and Nairobi Stima fought out to a 1-1 draw at Gusii Stadium in the highlight match of the day. Tore Bobe had the upper hand in the opening half while the second stanza belonged to Stima who lost numerous chances including a penalty by Victor Omune.
Joel Musyoka scored in the 14th minute for home team Shabana while Douglas Mokaya equalised for the visitors 20 minutes from time.
At Bukhungu Stadium, hosts Vihiga Bullets beat APS Bomet 2-0 while FC Talanta and Modern Coast Rangers tied 1-1 at Thika Stadium.
Migori Youth are firmly in fifth position on the 19-team log with 27 points after thumping StJoseph’s Youth 4-1 in Awendo while Fortune Sacco were 1-0 winners over visiting Kibera Black Stars.
