Lawrence Luvanda’s 84th minute strike spared Tusker’s blushes as the Brewers forced Kenya Police into a 1-1 draw in their first encounter of the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season.
Kenya Police controled proceedings from the get go and should have gone ahead in the fourth minute when David Okoth headed the ball wide after getting on the end of a good cross from Baraka Badi in the fourth minute.
They continued taking charge of the contest, and should have gone ahead yet again in the ninth and 11th minute after Jesee Were forced Joseph Ochuka into making two good saves to deny the former Zesco man from getting his first goal back in Kenyan football.
Tusker never heeded to the warning signs, and in the 18th minute, Police would open their account for the season after Marvine Nabwire got on the end of an intricate and sleek pass-and-move situation to send the small crowd that had attended the match into frenzy.
The Alemen just never looked inspired in attack, and their only attempt at goal came in the 44th minute when Shapan Siwa attempted a hopeful ball from outside the box that went sailing wide off target. This clearly incensed Charles Okere, who was quick to make a half-time change, bringing on Dennis Wanjala for Mike Oduor in efforts to try and get his team going in attack.
Although they tried to threaten the Police goal more, and even won a freekick from a dangerous positions, they did not capitalise as Police would soon gain control of the tie again, and in the 56th minute, Ochuka’s reflex skills would be put to the test again, as he denied Okoth a good goal from a bullet header after Baraka Badi had whipped in a good cross into the danger area.
Soon enough, those changes would pay off as Lawrence Luvanda would restore parity in the 84th minute, and suddenly, a fire was injected inside their bellies.
The game would then make up for a dramatic last couple of minutes, with the referee adding eight minutes of added time. Tusker tried to create more, while Police were being forced into deploying time wasting tactics in order to prevent defeat.
In the end, both sides would have to settle for a 1-1 draw, and it will surely be a kick in the teeth for Police, who are trying to end their wait for the FKF Premier League title this season.