Thika United FC new tactician John Njogu, made a positive start in his debut match with a comfortable 3-1 win against visiting Sony Sugar over the weekend.
First half
It was a tentative start for both sides as they were trying to settle into the match. The humidity of an impending rainy night was taking a toll at the players, with Thika United looking to take advantage of the conditions.
Mukangula came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute from a direct free-kick just outside of the box, but his shot skimmed on top of the crossbar.
Saad Musa grabbed the lead for the home team in the 24th minute from a 20 yard screamer after side stepping the opponent and beating a flat footed Sony Keeper. 1-0.
Thika United didn’t let go of the fuel pedal as the midway break approached, the home team mounted another attack on the right flank and after a frantic clearance by the Sony defense;
Skipper Dennis Odhiambo, pounced on a loose ball outside the box and drove in a fierce left-footed shot between a forest of legs, beating the goalkeeper into the far post corner. 2-0.
Shami Kibwana could have put his name on the score sheet at the stroke of half-time from a close range effort which sailed narrowly wide following good work from the forward.
The match went into the interval with the home side deservedly leading 2-0.
Second half
The opening 10 minutes of the second-half was scrappy but Sony Sugar were camping in the Thika United’s half in search of an equalizer.
Coach Njogu made three subs in the second half ( James Kinyanjui for Saad; Agesa Davies for Hansel and Masakidi Clement for Mukangula) and the momentum in-search for more goals intensified.
The chances were there for the home team on counter-attacks and on the 64th minute Shami grabbed the third goal for Thika United from the penalty spot, after Sammy Meja was brought down in the box. 3-0.
Fredrick Onyango managed to pull one goal back for Sony in the 82nd minute with a header from a corner, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Thika United held on for their second straight league win. FT: 3-1.
The teams
Thika United starting XI: Eliud Emase,Baraka Badi, Meja Sammy, Mwinyi Kassim, Okumu Collins, Odhiambo Dennis, Mutinda Michael,Musa Saad, Mukangula Eugene, Shami Kibwana and Ochieng Hansel.
Subs: Kelvin Opiyo,Denis Lewa,Idah Sosthenes,Kinyanjui James,Muturi Francis,Masakidi Clement and Agesa Davies.
SoNy Sugar starting XI: Kevin Omondi, Kevin Oluoch, Martin Werunga, Samuel Olare, Joseph Omweri, Victor Ademba, Frederick Onyango, Tobias Omondi, David Simiyu, Yema Mwana, George Abege.
Next match
Thika United will next host AFC Leopards at Thika Stadium on Sunday 20th May,2018. Compiled by Ken_Magu.