Derrick Nsubuga of Shabana in action against Mathare United at Gusii Stadium/ANGWENYI GICHANATusker finally found their spark, earning their first victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Murang’a Seal at St Sebastian Park on Sunday evening.
Former Premier League MVP Eric Kapaito scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute to lift the Brewers out of the relegation zone.
The win moved Tusker to 14th place on the table with five points, while Murang’a Seal remain second-last with just three points from seven matches.
For long stretches, the match had been a stalemate — scrappy, tense, and nervy under the humid Murang’a afternoon. Then came Eric Kapaito, Tusker’s talismanic forward, showing flashes of his 2018 brilliance.
In the 79th minute, Kapaito latched onto a looping pass from Dennis Oalo, took one deft touch past a sliding defender, and slotted the ball beyond Seal’s goalkeeper.
“It’s been coming,” said Tusker head coach Charles Okere. “We’ve been creating chances but not converting. Today, the boys showed resilience and belief. Kapaito is a leader on and off the pitch, and that goal was pure class.”
Murang’a Seal, playing before their home crowd, started brightly but faded as the match wore on. Their midfield kept the ball moving, but the final touch eluded them.
“We lacked composure in the final third,” admitted Murang’a Seal head coach Don Otieno. “Tusker came with experience, and that showed. We’ll regroup and come back stronger. It’s still early in the season.”
Seal’s defence, marshalled by veteran Joseph Mbugua, had done well to keep Gyapong and Kapaito quiet for most of the match until that single lapse proved costly.
Earlier in the day, Mathare United stunned Shabana FC 1-0 at the Gusii Stadium, dealing the Kisii-based side their second straight defeat.
Dennis Okoth was the hero, scoring in the 38th minute after a flowing counterattack that sliced through Shabana’s backline. The “Slum Boys,” as Mathare are affectionately known, showed tactical maturity under pressure, closing down spaces and holding on to their slender lead with grit.
“I’m proud of the discipline and structure,” said Mathare United coach John Kamau. “We knew Shabana are dangerous at home, but our boys stayed focused. That goal was a result of teamwork and patience.”
The win lifted Mathare to fifth place with seven points, level with Shabana, who remain fourth due to a superior goal difference.
Shabana FC, who had started the season brightly, now find themselves wobbling after back-to-back losses. Their attack, led by Vincent Nyabuto and Kelvin Ochieng, lacked sharpness and creativity.
“We were flat,” admitted Shabana's coach, Peter Okidi. “The energy wasn’t there. Maybe fatigue played a part, but that’s not an excuse. We have to respond quickly if we want to remain contenders.”
For Tusker FC, this result might be the turning point they needed. The brewers, multiple-time league champions, had endured a poor start to the 2025 season, struggling to convert chances and maintain defensive discipline.
For Tusker FC, this result might be the turning point they needed. The brewers, multiple-time league champions, had endured a poor start to the 2025 season, struggling to convert chances and maintain defensive discipline.
Okere’s tactical reshuffle — deploying a compact midfield and encouraging overlapping runs from his fullbacks — finally paid off. The combination of Rice and Zubimendi in the holding roles provided balance, while Kapaito’s leadership upfront added edge.
“Sometimes, all it takes is one win to change everything,” said Okere. “The players now believe again. Our fans have been patient — today we repaid that faith.”
