Defending champions Tusker secured a resounding 4-1 victory over Nairobi City Stars at their Ruaraka grounds on Sunday to assert their title defence intentions.
Ugandan forward Deogratious Ojok was the toast of the day, scoring a hat-trick that earned the Ruaraka-based brewers their second straight win of the season.
Tusker head coach Robert Matano extolled his charges for their brilliance in the nerve-racking contest.
"Today the boys were everything a coach could wish for in a team. All departments worked well and of course, we made the most of the opportunities we created in the match," Matano said.
With their eye on a 13th Kenyan Premier League title, Matano has fired a warning shot to the rest of their opponents to expect fierce battles in the subsequent encounters.
"Of course, we will play one game at a time but there should be no doubt about our championship aspirations this season," Matano said.
While the seasoned coach reflected on his blessings, his opposite number Nicholas Muyoti looked distressed after suffering a second consecutive loss this season.
"We got lost somewhere along the way. I saw a few mistakes that we will work on in the future. It's still too early in the season to give up. I believe we can come back stronger as the season progresses."
The game started with a bang with Samuel Kapen quickly darting on to his team-mate's cut-back to fire City Stars into the lead barely four minutes into the proceeding.
However, the visitors' celebrations were cut short after Ojok's strike restored parity three minutes later. In the 39th minute, the on-form forward struck a sweet snapshot from Lawrence Luvanda's pass to double the advantage.
Ojok was not done just yet. In the 59th minute, Eric Zakayo's enticing delivery found him strategically placed in a deeper position to slam the ball home. Second-half substitute Eric Mmata then pounced on Shami Mwinyi's neatly delivered through ball in stoppage time to hammer the last nail into the visitors' casket.
Elsewhere, Sunday’s five-goal thriller at Kasarani Annex in Nairobi featured a sterling performance by Kariobangi Sharks.
In a match dominated by the Sharks to a large extent, Boniface Muchiri put Ulinzi Stars ahead with a magnificent goal in the 31st minute.
However, Ulinzi's goal only served to stir the hornet's nest. Kevin Musamali opened the floodgates for the Sharks in the 37th minute before successive goals by Fortune Omoto and Tyson Otieno in the 42nd and 45th minutes changed the course of the game.
Hillary Simiyu scored late in the day to reduce the deficit.
In another match, Kakamega Homeboyz bounced back from their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Tusker to squeeze out a hard-fought 1-0 win over KCB At Kasarani Annex. Levis Okello netted the all-important goal in the 46th minute.
