IN Awendo, South Nyanza, the only upcountry Kenyan Premier League fixture on Sunday ended in a barren draw between home side Sony Sugar and Nairobi City Stars, while at the National Stadium in Nairobi, there was explosive action with Tusker and KCB winning to maintain their hundred percent record in the new season.

Tusker beat Red Berets 3-1 to go, undisputed, to the top of the table. Their earlier 4-1 win in the season-opener over Posta Rangers gives the Brewer a clear lead on goal difference (7-2) over KCB and Ulinzi Stars, the other unbeaten teams.

KCB first took the top slot after a 1-0 win over Mahakama in the first match of the “live” TV double-header at the National Stadium. From their 2-0 win over AFC Leopards on the weekend, KCB, on a 3-0 aggregate, were better than Ulinzi whose 1-0 wins over Chemelil on week one and Saturday’s similar defeat of Gor Mahia in Naivasha had given them the temporary leadership on Saturday evening.

Sony Sugar 0 Nairobi City Stars 0

It was home fans in Awendo who were left badly disappointed that their team let visiting City Stars get away with a point. Last year, City Stars won at Awendo and local supporters were baying for revenge.

The match was, however, full of “fireworks”, the lack of goals in the final analysis notwithstanding.

After both teams started cautiously it was Fred Okello for the visitors who produced the best attack in the 15th minute, forcing Sony goalkeeper Evans Omondi to save an-on-target ball.

Sony’s Chamberi Marwa lost an open chance just two minutes after that. He was left with City’s Kenya international goalie, Joseph Ruto but shot wide.

Sony continued piling pressure and in the 28th minute Fredrick Onyango had a solo run but in the end shot over the bar.

Silas Aluvisia was one of Sony’s danger men involved in constant raiding of the City Stars’ box and in the 35th minute his curling cross from the left was almost deflected for an own goal by City’s skipper, the defender Donald Mosoti, whose intended clearance hit his own cross bar.

Jack Omondi was guilty of wasting another easy opportunity from a beautiful Aluvisia cross when Kiplagat was unplaced.

Sony had the upper hand in the second half and forward Steve Biko showed good skills and determination.

New Sony coach Rishadi Shedu made a tactical change bringing in Mohamed Yusuf for Congolese import Kayombo Dondo and the pace of the game went a notch higher.

But City Stars showed remarkable coolness and most spectacularly in midfield where young Lang’ata High School lad David Gateri played like a seasoned professional.

Arthur Museve, a lynchpin in the Stars’ defence was badly missed after injury in the 52nd minute forced him to withdraw, coach Ken Odhiambo replacing him with John Amboko.

The game headed for a close with Biko almost clinching the winner in added injury time (93rd minute). His shot from 20 metres forced Kiplagat to a full stretch save.

“Today the boys didn’t play according to instructions and I am not entirely happy with the draw. We won here last year and I wanted us to follow on,” said Odhiambo the City Stars’ coach.

Shedu, however, said he was pleased with the point after he lost his debut with Sony against Ulinzi in the previous fixture.

TEAMS:

SONY SUGAR - 21. Evans Omondi: 10. Kevin Oluoch 20. Frederick Onyango, 28. Kayombo Dodo (9. Mohamed Yusuf, 46’), 6. Jean Koffi, 2. David Otieno, 3. Daniel Odhiambo, 12. Steve Biko, 13. Silas Aluvisia, 25.Jack Omondi (11. Dennis Onkangi, 44’/15. Moses Arita, 65’), 7. Chamberi Marwa

Reserves not used - 1. Collins Oduor, 7. Silas Shitote, 15. Sylvester Wanyama, 16. Peter Juma

Coach - Rishadi Shedu

CITY STARS - 1. Joseph Ruto Kiplagat: 10. Justus Basweti, 22. Simon Ogutu, 18. Arthur Museve (21. John Amboko, 52’), 19. Donald Mosoti, 5. Kelvin Nyongesa, 11. Oscar Mbugua (8. Ibrahim Uttache, 37’), 24. Collins Ochieng’ 20. David King’atua (13. Levy Mwaka), 4. Fred Okello, 17. David Gateri

Reserves not used - 23.Frederick Majani, 9. Tony Nyang’or, 14. George Odary, 25. Peter Ashango

Coach - Ken Odhiambo

Referee - Nasour Doka

1st assistant referee - Nathaniel Ndwiga

2nd asst ref - Oliver Ouma

4th official - Isaac Ochieng’

KCB 1 Mahakama 0

Daniel Waweru floated a cross into the box, from 40 yards on the left flank, to find Oscar Livondo who had two touches before hitting low past Makama ‘keeper Benson Mungai for the KCB goal in the 50th minute.

Up to that time Mahakama had played well enough and looked like a team not just returning to the Premiership after a year’s spell in the lower Nationwide League.

Mahakama skipper, the Harambee Stars veteran Tom Juma missed a great opportunity just taking his header from a corner inches wide from close range. Isaac Otieno also had another opportunity for Mahakama.

After two straight wins – following a 2-0 defeat of AFC Leopards on the opening day – KCB coach Leonard Saleh was pretty happy: “I would rather always have this sort of beginning of a season. Feels very encouraging and I want the boys to continue winning,” he said.

Sammy Omollo though his team played well but were out of luck. “We deserved something out of it. We tried hard and can’t be faulted in most of the departments. However, the striking just has to be sharper.”

TEAMS:

KCB - Daniel Oluoch: 20. Eugene Asike, 6. Robert Syongoh, 12. Joseph Apindi, 2. Silas Chege (captain), 14. Michael Oyando (captain), 10. Geoffrey Maina, 8. Victor Ochieng’ (25. Tony Ongoro, 30’), 17. Job Endriseh, 19. Daniel Waweru (13. Abdul Rahim, 71’), 9. Oscar Livondo (15. Geoffrey Shikanda, 51’)

Reserves not used – 22. Caleb Adola, 4. Joseph Kangata, 11. Yusuf Abubakar, 23. Ezekiel Odera

Scorer - 9. Oscar Livondo (50’)

Coach - Leonard Saleh

MAHAKAMA - 1. Benson Mungai: 2. Charles Odette, 12. Isaac Otieno, 4. Nathan Munai, 17. Collins Omondi, 5. Tom Juma (captain), 7. Christopher Omondi (15. Isaiah Digolo, 80’), 6. John Kio (18. Roy Syamba, 71’), 14. Clifford Alwanga, 10. David Nyoike (11. Sammy Muraya, 47’), 16. Benjamin Shaka

Reserves not used - 22. Jeremiah Maina, 20. David Ochieng’, 9. Yusuf Sirma, 8. Joseph Mbugi

Coach - Sammy Omollo

Referee - Richard Obare

Tuker 3 Red Berets 1

Things fell just right for Tusker from as early as the third minute. Dickson Ojwang’ tried to deal with a speedy Dennis Mukaisi who was attacking inside the Red Berets box. Ojwang’ brought down the Tusker man for an early penalty which Noah Abich promptly put under Wycliffe Kasaya in the Berets goal.

In the 29th minute Abich crossed from the left flank for Nathan Mutenza, the Ugandan import to make it 2-0 for Tusker.

After the break Japhery Oyango pushed Berets skipper Nyaberi Nyangicha to the ground inside the box and Joseph Asudza beat the Tusker custodian Samuel Odhiambo with the spot kick.

But in the 79th minute Oyando made amends with a long lob into the box from the right flank which Victor Ali Abondo connected with a header for 3-1 and Tusker looked as if they were going to equal their previous week’s 4-1 victory over Posta Rangers.

But Berets’ Gabriel Nduro and John Ringo were fine contributors of their side’s good flashes while Erick Ochieng’ and Essau Wasike each missed a great chance.

TEAMS:

TUSKER - 20. Samuel Odhiambo: 17. Noah Abich, 3. Collins Okoth Kisuya, 5. Jockins Atudo, 15. Humphrey Okoti (captain), 12. Japhery Oyando, 24. Anthony Khadudu (23. Ken Oduor, 84’), 21. Victor Ali Abondo, 19. Nathan Mutenza (10. Francis Oduor, 49’), 7. Oscar Kadenge (13. Fred Ojwang’, 71’) 9. Dennis Mukaisi

Reserves not used - 29. Abel Muhaya, 2. Chris Litswa, 22. Maurice Odipo, 6. Edwin Mukenya

Scorers – 17. Noah Abich (3’, pen), 19. Nathan Mutenza (29’), 21. Victor Ali Abondo (76’)

Coach - James Nandwa

RED BERETS - 28. Wycliffe Kasaya: 11. Nyaberi Nyangicha (captain), 3. Essau Wasike, 20. Dickson Ojwang’, 16. Gideon Oguda, 6. Ben Barasa, 7. Erick Ochieng’, 10. Joseph Asudza, 2. Gabriel Nduro, 21. Collins Shivatse (9. Edwin Oduor, 50’), 19. John Ringo

Reserves not used - 1. Stephen Odundo, 5. Samuel Kiarie, 15. Andrew Manyasi, 17. Godfrey Otieno, 24. Ken Apollo, 29. John Muthusi

Scorer -10. Joseph Asudza (48’, pen)

Coach - Caleb Okuku

Referee - Vernatius Were