Posta Rangers registered a 1-0 win over Zoo Kericho yesterday to move a slot higher in the SportPesa Premier League with 46 points.
In a match played at Ruaraka, Rangers seemed headed for a barren draw in regular time until second half substitute Geoffrey Kataka struck in the 90+2 minute to gift his side a win and three points.
Earlier on before kickoff, Rangers had made a change in their back line where Charles Odette filled in for the suspended Jockins Atudo. In Atudo’s absence, Jerry Santo skippered Rangers to the victory and ensured his side recorded a win against the visiting Zoo.
Patrick Matasi retained his spot between the posts and a four-man back-line of Charles Odette, Luke Ochieng, Simon Mbugua and Titus Achesa were deployed to guard the goal. Experinced Jerry Santo and Joseph Mbugi partnered at the defensive midfield while John Nairuka and Joseph Nyaga manned the flanks. Kennedy Otieno and Dennis Mukaisi were deployed by the tactician in getting match goals.
The two teams battled to a barren draw in the first half in the bumpy Ruaraka Stadium with Rangers defence being too smart to cage the duo of Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya who have been a headache to many defenders in the league. Odettecombined well with Luke Ochieng in taming the two forwards.
For Zoo Kericho, the danger posed by Dennis Mukaisi, whose sole goal in the first leg condemned them to a 1-0 loss, was equally met in his attempts to rifle home the opener. The agile Titus Achesa made several overlaps on the left flank to curl in some quality crosses which posed a threat to Zoo’s backline. The zeal in marching for an opener by Rangers pressed Zoo to their own half, inviting more attacks in their own area hence committing more fouls.
It took the intervention of second half substitute Geoffrey Kataka who came in to rescue Rangers in the dying minutes of the game with a match winning goal.
Posta Rangers’ head coach Sammy Omollo, who was serving his final match ban, congratulated his boys who managed to win against a combative side.
“I watched the game from the stands and I can say the boys did a great job. Zoo were too combative and it’s our relentless fight till the last minute which saw us win this duel. It was indeed a tough match and the absence of Atudo was not felt in the entire match.”
