Late goals from substitute Jackson Macharia and Henry Meja’s ninth of the season completed the turnaround as Tusker FC bounced from a goal down to beat Nzoia Sugar 2-1 at the Kasarani Annex on Sunday to extend the lead on top of the BetKing Premier League standings to seven points.
Hillary Simiyu had scored for the visitors two minutes after the break, but Tusker fought back to get the win with substitute Eric Zakayo playing a crucial role.
The first half was full of chances, with Christopher Oruchum’s header from a Luke Namanda freekick going wide while on the other end, keeper Michael Wanjala made a full stretched save to keep out a Gilbert Wandera freekick, all within the first three minutes.
Meja had chances as well, his shot after five minutes when sent through by Kevin Okoth going just wide while four minutes later, Okoth had a chance for himself when set through by Namanda but his effort was over. Chris Onyango also had a shot go wide from inside the area off a Monyi ball.
In the 26th minute, Meja missed a glorious chance when a pass from midfield set him through one on one with the keeper but his effort was blocked. Five minutes from time, Onyango had a good effort from a freekick go just wide.
In the second half, Nzoia started stronger and got into the lead just two minutes in when Simiyu finished off a cross from Dennis Wanjala after the ball took a bounce before the defense evading their attempted clearance.
But Tusker foyght back with coach Robert Matano making a triple substitution, Humphrey Mieno, Macharia and George Odhiambo coming in for Brian Marita, Okoth and Onyango. With 20 minutes remaining, he threw his last dice, Faraj Ominde and Zakayo coming on for Hashim Sempala and Namanda.
The changes brought the much needed fresh legs in attack and just four minutes later, Macharia equalized with a shot from inside the box after Faraj teed him up from a Zakayo cross.
The boys continued fighting and seven minutes to full time, Meja dived in to score the winner off a Zakayo cross from the right.