Promoted Nzoia Sugar FC thrashed defending champions Tusker 5-2 to serve one of the biggest upsets in KPL opening day history. A look back at that memorable opening day on 11th March 2017 at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
Sports Pesa Premier League 2016-2017 got off to a start when Nzoia Sugar FC served up the upset of the day not only in the Kenya Premier League, but probably in world football. Given the way the game is staked against minnows in the KPL, even if Lincolin City had won against Arsenal in their FA Cup quarter finals tie, that still wouldn’t have matched this historical Nzoia result.
Even with Radio Africa’s Bamba Sport airing Nationwide Super League football – meaning coaches and analysts would have been better prepared as they would have been exposed to grassroots soccer – like most us, the reigning champions Tusker were clearly sprung by the Harambee Stars veteran Benerd Mwalala coached Nzoia Sugar FC
In the pre-match presser Mwalala, cutting a relaxed figure, had indicated that he intended to give the SportPesa KPL a taste of his football that had seen his side dominate Super League football and score a whooping 75 goals to the title. None of his players, Mwalala offered, save for one, had ever played for a Kenya Premier League Side. They were young, fresh, rearing to go and prove they belonged. Therefore, his team of rookies wouldn’t change their style of play even facing the mighty reigning champions Tusker FC.
Nzoia Sugar FC Style Of Play
Can be likened to Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpress. Nzoia Sugar’s FC forwards are all action. Snipping away at the feet of deep lying midfielders and defenders to prevent the team from building from the back. Bernard Mwalala’s side are quick in the wings and are in constant attack mode varying their approach to include long balls to the tall nimble forwards.
The strengths of this system is evident in the number of goals that Nzoia FC scored and the subtitles revealed by the statistics (In the first half, Nzoia Sugar had more three times the attempts on target with lesser possession than Tusker). The manner of conceding the first goal where defenders committed but didn’t make the tackle illustrates its weaknesses. Tusker FC second goal came off a set piece at the edge of the area thanks to overzealous pressing.
Verdict: It will take a while for teams to make out Nzoia Sugar FC. Even so, the qualities they posses within their ranks (youthful vigor, speed, hard work and stamina) could bode well for a true counter attacking approach. Discipline will be a key challenge given their inexperience and aggressive style of play.
Tusker FC Verdict
It has not been a good start for the defending Champions- knocked out of CAF Champions League; Lost the Super Cup. Their light recruitment over the summer now appears suspect given that the squad is aging (probably averaging at 30years). They need to adopt to the ideas of their new manager fast and summon all their experience if they are going to make anything the 2017 football season.
As it happened: Goals & Key Moments In Match
8′ Tusker FC Goal ⚽ Noah Wafula cut through the Nzoia Sugar FC defense like a hot knife on butter
23′ Nzoia Sugar FC Goal ⚽ Rupia goal …free kick from a set piece just at the edge of the box
42′ Nzoia Sugar FC Goal ⚽ Edwin Wafula penalty goal
47′ Tusker FC Goal ⚽ Batambuze- Ugandan National left winger scores for Tusker
51′ Nzoia Sugar FC Goal ⚽ Brian Otieno Tap in from corner
64′ Nzoia Sugar FC Goal ⚽ Brian Otieno Header
85′ Tusker FC denied⛔ Clifford Alwanga wins penalty for Tusker which Nzoia Keeper Benson Mangala
Catch all the match action here!
8 goals on match day one: New boys Nzoia Sugar rout league holders 5-2. #NTVSport @SethOlale #KPL2017 https://t.co/Yi4gYlzCrm pic.twitter.com/wRvNt3unJ9— NTV News (@NTVnewsroom) March 11, 2017
Bungoma County Governor Lusaka was not to be left behind
Mchezea kwao hutuzwa! Maybe the Governor Kenneth Lusaka should be telling us why Nzoia Sugar FC fans have to travel all the way from Bungoma and other Mulembe counties to cheer their team in Afraha, Nakuru.
Bwana Governor, you should borrow a leaf from Governor Oparanya in Kakamega who has taken upon his government to make Bukhungu stadium a home for SportPesa KPL side Kakamega Homeboys FC
Nzoia Sugar FC have just returned to the Premier League after a decade, but they are already making us proud. Keep the winning spirit up!— Ken Lusaka (@Ken_Lusaka) March 11, 2017
Nzoia Sugar FC Shirt sponsors, Nzoia Sugar, reveled in victory
Nzoia sugar company has been emblematic of Kenya’s troubled sugar sector:delays in payment to farmers for delivered cane and corruption.
In cognizance of that, it must have been a tough deciding how best to improve its corporate image and defend its market position given the erosion of brand equity that might come with such negative press.
Today’s triumph of Nzoia Sugar FC represented money well spent beyond the expected as it was symbolic of a corporate David slaying a Goliath. On the day and within this realm, the organization and execution by tiny, troubled, rural, small town based company slayed the sophistication of a multinational backed giant.
Nzoia Sugar FC players celebrating after scoring against Tusker FC.>EM. pic.twitter.com/wjRxHFfKIW— Nzoia Sugar Co.Ltd (@Nzoiasugar) March 11, 2017
The Football Team Big’s Up The Shirt Sponsors
Probably to remind us that the 2017 SportPesa KPL Nzoia Sugar FC is not owned by the sugar miller, but rather sponsored by the Webuye based miller.
@TuskerFC_club . Thanks for coming!!! Need some Sugar maybe?. Nzoia Sugar sweetening Kenya since 1978.— Nzoia Sugar Football (@NzoiaFC) March 11, 2017