Kariobangi Sharks battled to hold reigning champions Tusker to a barren draw, Western Stima and Nakumatt fought out a 1-1 stalemate as Zoo Kericho and Nzoia Sugar cancelled each other out in a four-goal thriller in Wednesday’s matches that produced no winner.
Tusker 0-0 Kariobangi Sharks (Ruaraka Grounds)
It was another disappointing day for defending champions Tusker who were looking to leapfrog Kariobangi Sharks to fourth position on the SportPesa Premier League table and also end their winless run.
Instead, that run stretched to three games as the brewers, playing at their traditional home, lacked the edge to break down the Sharks.
Western Stima 1-1 Nakumatt (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)
Little known midfielder Brian Marita put Stima ahead in the 63rd minute after being picked out Geoffrey Ochieng’s with a pin-point delivery from the left to guide the ball home.
Nakumatt left if late to secure a point. Former Nakuru All Stars striker Boniface Akenga brought back parity in the second minute of added time.
Zoo Kericho 2-2 Nzoia Sugar (Kericho Green Stadium)
Nzoia Sugar were the first to appear on the score sheet, with Lawrence Juma curling home a beautiful free kick at the half hour mark.
Zoo Kericho’s Danson Namasaka responded with an even more beautiful free kick at the stroke of half time.
The panache with which he struck the ball could have led one to think that he was flaunting his dead ball technique, but for the accurate outcome.
Moments before the half time whistle, the visitors were celebrating their second goal when Vincent Ngesa pounced on a loose ball spilled on his path by Zoo goalkeeper Richard Omboko to mete out punishment.
Zoo frantically pressed hard for the equalizer but had to wait until the 88 minute to make the breakthrough, inevitably.
Geoffrey Gichana turned expertly and outwitted Nzoia custodian Mustapha Oduor with a dummy shot that was completely bought before sending the ball into the empty net.
