- KCB sink Tusker 2-0 in the opening match of the 2025/26 SportPesa League.
- The match was staged at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Friday, September 19.
- Former Gor Mahia winger Boniface Omondi scored a first-half brace, securing all three points for the Bankers, while Erick Kapaito missed a penalty for Tusker.
Two-time Kenyan Premier League Golden Boot winner Erick Kapaito made a forgettable return to the topflight, missing a penalty as Tusker FC lost 0-2 to KCB in the 25/26 SportPesa League opener staged at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Friday evening.
It was their former coach Robert Matano who returned to haunt them in their opener with new signing Boniface Omondi netting a first-half brace to ensure the Bankers secured all three points as they begin their charge for the new KSh 15 million prize for the SportPesa League champions.
However, the match was marred by controversy when KCB defender Nashon Wekesa received two yellow cards but was not sent off.
His first booking came after a foul on a Tusker attacker, and he was shown a second yellow for handling the ball inside the box, conceding a penalty. Surprisingly, the referee did not dismiss him, and neither technical bench noticed the error.
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What the coaches said after 25/26 SportPesa League opener
Matano, one of the most successful coaches in the top tier with four league titles, is now aiming to lead KCB to their first-ever Kenyan top-flight title.
“We have been together with the boys for two months and I think they executed the instructions well. The journey has just begun, 33 matches remain and we’ve started positively. I aim to blend youth and experience to build a solid team,” Matano said.
Meanwhile, Tusker’s defensive fragility and missed chances in attack are areas needing urgent improvement with head coach Charles Okere describing the result as unfortunate.
“This was our first match, and I believe we could have performed better. We had prepared well and intended to win, but conceding two goals undermined our plans,” Okere stated.
KCB will look to extend their promising form when they face Mathare United next Friday, while Tusker must regroup quickly before their encounter with Posta Rangers on Saturday, September 27.
Tusker vs KCB Lineups
Tusker: Joseph Ochaka, Collins Odhiambo, George Kaddu, Charles Momanyi, Alex Onhwari, Dennis Iguma, Ian Simiyu, Issa Umumba, Eric Kapaito, David PolePole, Cliff Oruko.
KCB: Bonphas Munyasa, Masoud Fadhili, Nashon Wekesa, Amatton Samunya, Clyde Senanji, Dennis Maruti, Boniface Omondi, Humphrey Mieno, Kelvin Etemesi, Richard Omondi, December Kisakah.