Champions Tusker lose again in league

SportPesa Premier League champions Tusker's search for a first season win ended up in disappointment as they lost 2-0 to hosts Thika United the Thika Municipal Stadium on Sunday.

AFC Leopards went off to a flying start in their first match of the season by beating Nakumatt 3-0 at the same venue.

Ghanaian striker Gilbert Fiamenyo scored on his debut for Ingwe, while Paul Kiongera and Marsellus Ingotse added a goal each to complete what was a resounding victory against the league debutants.

Muhoroni Youth made a resounding comeback to the Premier league with a 1-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks as Sony Sugar's George Abege sent his team to a 1-0 win over Sofapaka in Nakuru.

Former SPL Golden Glove runner-up Sammy Okinda, now at Nakumatt, was at his very best against Ingwe, although he capitulated late in the second half to concede two goals in quick succession.

Although Ingwe were clearly stronger, Okinda's brilliance was first breached by the burly Fiamenyo in the 41st minute.

The former Hearts of Oak striker came through with a powerful header in the 41st minute after Robinson Kamura had floated a nice free kick onto his path.

Second half replacement Marsellus Ingotse extended Ingwe's lead in the 83rd minute, intercepting a pass from Kiongera meant for Whyvonne Isuza and planting the ball past the helpless Okinda.

Less than a minute later, Kiongera appeared from oblivion and sent a thunderbolt forcefully into the net, leaving the four-man Nakumatt defenders bewildered.

It was more misery for defending champions Tusker as they fell to their brilliant hosts.

This was the second consecutive defeat for the brewers who were still smarting from the 5-2 defeat against Nzoia United that welcomed them into the 2017 season last weekend.

The 11-time champions were lacking in every department, and the magnitude of yet another defeat, Tusker's fourth so far this year, led coach George 'Best' Nsimbe to decline requests for the routine post-match interview.

They were felled by goals from Eugene Mukangula and Shami Kibwana, and they provided nothing in the way of a response.

In fact, the brewers appeared clueless and purposeless in their runs throughout the match, giving the home team the courage and motivation to control proceedings from start to finish.

Mukangula scored in the third minute of the match, heading in a long ball floated into the area by Salim Mzee.

Thika squandered a myriad chances in that first half, but second half replacement Kibwana made a significant impact on the 80th minute.

Kibwana scooped the ball from the midfield, drew out goalkeeper Eliud Emase before looping the ball beautifully over him and right into the net.

"I am happy because we have collected three points, but I am even happier that we played good football. We were stronger than them in midfield nd the boys' positioning today was also excellent.

"It is still too early to judge the performance, but I want the boys to know that it is not going to be easy especially in this first half of the season," said Thika coach James Nandwa.

SUNDAY'S RESULTS

Thika United 2-0 Tusker
Nakumatt 3-0 AFC Leopards
Muhoroni Youth 1-0 Kariobangi Sharks
Sofapaka 0-1 Sony Sugar