A second-half header from Burkinabe striker Yves Koutiama ensured Kenya Police FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tusker FC at the Police Sacco Stadium on Friday evening.
The win propels the Law Enforcers to 43 points and third on the log drawing them level with Shabana while the result leaves Julien Mette’s Brewers searching for answers after failing to convert their first-half chances.
Tusker were the first to threaten in the sixth minute when Bless Bakai teed up Simiyu for a dangerous cutback that troubled Police goalkeeper Dan, eventually forcing a corner.
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At the quarter-hour mark, Bakai was in the thick of the action again, going down in the box under a challenge from Abud Omar, but the referee deemed the foul too soft to merit a penalty.
The hosts responded five minutes later with the first shot on target of the afternoon. Following a half-clearance by the Tusker backline, Ernest Malonga struck a powerful effort from distance that was calmly gathered by Pavel.
On the stroke of halftime, Tusker nearly broke the deadlock with their best attempt of the period,a stinging long-range effort from Fabian Adikiny that forced a fingertip save for a corner.
Police almost punished them immediately on the counter-attack when Abud Omar found space at close range, but his effort rattled the crossbar, ensuring the match proceeded to the interval goalless.
The Law Enforcers were forced into a change at the start of the second half, with Alvin Mang’eni replacing the injured David Odhiambo.
The substitute almost made an instant impact just minutes after his introduction, but he skied his effort over the bar from close range. Mang’eni then turned provider, setting up Quansah, who also failed to keep his shot down as the hosts ramped up the pressure.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 62nd minute. Abud Omar delivered a sumptuous free-kick into the danger zone, finding Yves Koutiama, who rose highest to head home his eighth goal of the season.
Police remained relentless as Abud Omar nearly doubled the lead himself with a curling free-kick from the left, which required a sharp save from Pavel to parry it away for a corner.
Despite a late push from the Brewers with substitute Ibrahim Joshua failing to strike home from close range, the Law Enforcers held firm to secure the three points and maintain their defensive discipline as the best defence in the league.
Kenya Police FC vs Tusker FC Starting Lineups
- Kenya Police: Dan Ogembo,Daniel Sakari,Kevin Ouma,Abud Omar,Hernest Malonga, Charles Ouma, Marvin Nabwire,Samuel Quansah,David Okoth,Erik Zakayo,Yves Koutiama.
- Tusker FC: Pavel Ndzila, Eugene Ikutwa,Dennis Wanjala, Charles Momanyi,Francis Oduor,Denis Iguma,Fabian Adikiny,Erick Kapaito,Bless Bakai,Thomas Omolle.