Tusker 1-1 Nairobi City Stars: Brewers’ denied chance to move top .

Tusker failed to join champions Gor Mahia at top of Kenyan Premier League table after a late strike by Raymond Ochieng saved City Stars from defeat.

Nairobi City Stars snatched a late 1-1 draw to deny Tusker chance to move joint top with Gor Mahia at the log in a mid-week league match played at Ruaraka grounds on Wednesday.
Raymond Ochieng scored for relegation threatened City Stars in 83rd minute to cancel out Khalid Aucho’s opening goal for the brewers’ in first half.
The draw now leaves Tusker on 42 points, two less leaders and champions Gor Mahia. Sofapaka are third on 43 points while Chemelil Sugar lies fourth on 41.
Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi blamed his players’ for the result claiming they could have killed off the match with numerous chances they created before City Stars drew level.
“We created several scoring opportunities but could not capitalize on that. City Stars got a chance and used it to kill us. We were very wasteful and the outcome is our mistake.
“We had a number of chances that should have been converted to put the game beyond the reach of City Stars. But when they got to 1-1, it was difficult for us again because the game was heading to final whistle. I am very disappointed.
“We will keep fighting for the title. It is not over yet until the final day of the league.”
City Stars coach Robinson Ofwoku was happy with a point picked as the Kawangware-based club strives to remain in top flight next season.
“We have picked a very crucial point from a very difficult match against a top team chasing for the league title. We are taking it a step at a time and I am confidence that City Stars will survive relegation.”
Tusker, who enjoyed large share of possession in opening stages, were wasteful in front of goal with Jesse Were and Khalid Aucho squandering clear chances.
The brewers’ went ahead in 26th minute when Were were picked out Osborne Monday, whose intended pass to Andrew Tololwa was spilled by Majani and Aucho was there to score from the rebound.
In 42nd minute, Tusker almost went 2-0 up but Kevin Kimani failed to score after Aboud Omar, Tololwa and Were had done the spadework from left wing.  Tusker enjoyed a 1-0 half-time lead and came back a more rejuvenated side with Kimani and Were causing all sorts of problems for City Stars’ back four.
Raymond Ochieng’ then grabbed an unlikely point for City Stars after scoring from run of play to deny the former champions opportunity to join Gor Mahia at top of league table.