By Elvis Wanyama
On Sunday afternoon at the Bukhungu Stadium, Nzoia Sugar defeated Kakamega Homeboyz 2-0 in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League match.
The sugar millers defeated the hosts with two goals from Kibande and Beja in the second half, bringing their total to 60 points, 4 points behind league champions Tusker FC and 3 points behind second-place Gor Mahia.
The hosts definitely wanted to score right away, and the sugar millers had to withstand a bombardment of attacks in the first few minutes of the game. With their long throws into the box, Homeboyz Enock Agwanda tormented Nzoia’s defense, with each attempt ending with every effort, the ball going over the crossbar or wide of the goal. The millers would, however, repel these assaults and quickly regained control of the situation before launching an onslaught.
In the ninth minute, Randy Bakari was relieved when his defensive error nearly gave the home team the chance to score first. But the threat was immediately removed, and Nzoia sugar was unharmed.
As a result of Hassan Beja’s inability to keep the ball under control and take advantage of an opportunity that was presented to him by James Kibande in the 21st minute, the millers were unable to take the lead.
It took the sugar millers eight minutes into the second half to break the scoreless first half after they had plenty of chances to score at least one goal.
Yassin Sije executed well to spot James Kibande in a favorable situation, and the latter did not err as he was able to score and give the visitors the lead.
Hassan Beja’s relatively simple goal in the 61st minute increased Nzoia’s advantage. Sije and Alfred Tanui displayed excellent teamwork, which the Homeboyz were helpless to counter, and the final touch fell to Beja, who netted at the far post to stun the home team and beat Farouk Shikhalo.
After being teed up by Tanui, Sije nearly tallied a third goal in the 66th minute, but an upheld offside flag denied him from doing so.
The victory gives the sugar millers more confidence as they continue to compete for the much coveted FKF premier league title. The subsequent clash between Nzoia Sugar against Kariobangi Sharks is scheduled to take place at Sudi Stadium.