Nairobi,
Sunday, 21 April, 2024
Tusker FC and Ulinzi Stars honored Gen Ogolla and fallen officers with a minute’s silence and wore black armbands in their league match.
Tusker would then claim a 1-0 win over hosts Ulinzi Stars in a FKF Premier League clash at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.
A second-half goal by Erick Kapaito secured three points for the Brewers, a result that elevated Tusker to third place in the standings, while Ulinzi Stars remained in 13th place, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Both teams observed a minute’s silence in honor of the fallen Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Ogolla, and the nine military officers who perished in last week’s tragic helicopter crash. They wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the fallen heroes.
Antony Kimani’s side pinned the Brewers back inside their own half in the opening stages, but there was no real goalmouth action until the 24th minute when Issa Lumumba sent a shot straight at Brian Bwire following a corner.
Tusker finished the half stronger though, as Eric Kapaito missed the target from close range on 33 minutes after being picked out by Chris Erambo, who threatened himself seven minutes later with a shot that was deflected behind for a corner.
The second half was a much livelier affair and Michael Wanyika had to be alert seven minutes after the restart to keep out a long-range shot from the home team before Yakeen Mutheli went close at the other end with a strike from distance that flew just wide of the goal on 49th minutes.
Two minutes later, Tusker grabbed the lead when Eric Kapito ran behind the defense and scored from close range to make it 1-0.
As they chased an equalizer, Inrahim Shami was set free on the left flank and unleashed a powerful shot in the 53rd minute only for Bwire to make another save.
Bwire came to the visitors’ rescue again on the 65-minute mark as he made three saves in quick succession to keep the Soldiers at bay.
Leshan MMootian received the ball inside the Soldier’s box six minutes later and he forced Bwire into a low save as the hots searched for the equalizing goal.
In the 72nd minute, Onyango chipped the ball into the Soldier’s box for his Tusker teammate, but former Bandari goalkeeper Wanyika again came out to make an easy save.
Bwire then produced a great save to deny Brian Ongoma a late equalizer with ten minutes left on the clock to ensure that Tusker walked away 1-0 winners on the day.