Goalkeeper Bwire comes up big for Tusker on return to starting team

Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Timothy Olobulu

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 22 - Brian Bwire came up massive for Tusker FC, making two big saves as his side bounced back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars in Lang'ata on Sunday.

Bwire had been dropped from the starting team for Brian Opondo since the match against Shabana FC in Homabay, but was given a way back after the latter conceded six goals in two matches.

He made a huge one on one save to deny Masita Masuta in the first half, and late in the second half, made another great save to tip over Boniface Muchiri's shot when his side was leading 1-0.

Bwire collected his 10 clean sheet of the season, and made a massive reminder that he should be the regular starter with an overall assured performance.

It was a tough game for both teams, Tusker battling to pick up from a woeful run that has seen them eliminated from the FKF Cup and their league ambitions massively dented.

For Ulinzi, it was a massively emotional game, as they were still mourning the passing on of their club patron, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla who perished alongside nine other military officials in a chopper crash last week.

Ulinzi wore an all-black kit, with black armbands for them as well as their opponents of the day, Tusker FC, as well as match officials.

The home side, playing on the ground that hosted the CDF's memorial service just a day earlier, had a good start and should have been in the lead after just 11 minutes when Leshan Mootian stole the ball off Charles Momanyi but his effort after breaking into the box was saved by the keeper.

They had an even better chance when Masuta made his way behind the defense to face Bwire one on one, but the Tusker goalie made a vital block to deny him the goal.

The visitors also had some chances, John Njuguna almost haunting his former employers with a curling effort from distance which sailed just over.

James Kibande also had a chance when he picked the ball just inside the box, but his low shot was kept out by keeper Michael Wanyika.

In the second half, Tusker started faster off the blocks and just five minutes in got the winning goal, Kibande chipping the ball behind the defense to Kapaito's run, the latter doing the rest of the job to beat the keeper.

The visitors piled the pressure to try and rally back for a point, and they came close when Brian Bwire adjusted brilliantly to tip over Boniface Muchiri's deflected shot for a corner.

The victory sees Tusker move to third place with 46 points, one behind second placed Police FC and 10 behind leaders Gor Mahia with seven rounds of matches left.