Brian Bwire put up a sensational man of the match performance, pulling several crucial saves, including a first half penalty, as 10-man Tusker FC beat Nzoia Sugar by a solitary goal at the Dandora Stadium on Monday afternoon.
James Kibande scored the winning goal 11 minutes to time, as the Brewers showed immense resilience against a tough and hard fighting opponent.
The team had to play the last three minutes of the first half and the entire second with 10 men after midfielder Chris Erambo was sent off for a second yellow card.
Nzoia were handed an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 10th minute from the penalty spot after keeper Bwire’s extended hand brought down David Simiyu. The forward stepped up from the spot kick, but it was saved by Bwire.
Just before the penalty, Tusker had a great chance when David Odoyo rose well inside the box to connect to a James Mwangi cross, but the keeper made a fantastic save.
We had more chances, with Eric Kapaito twice seeing his shots saved by the keeper, with John Njuguna also seeing a long range effort turned behind for a corner. At the stroke of halftime, Bwire made another brilliant save to deny Simiyu one on one.
In the second half, the brewers made changes, Kibande, Dennis Oguta and Deogratious Ojok coming on for Mwangi, Njuguna and Mike Oduor.
The changes added some pace upfront and 10 minutes in, Kibande won a freekick on the left which Boniface Onyango curled on target, but the keeper made another great save.
On the other end, Nzoia also had some chances, but Bwire maintained his impetus to ensure his 11th cleansheet of the season.
The goal finally came 11 minutes from time, two substitutes combining when Kibande headed to the far post after being picked out by a precise cross from Ojok.
The victory sees Tusker cement their hold on third spot, two points behind second placed Police FC.
