Nakumatt edge Posta in KPL thriller

Nakumatt FC rose to the top half of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) table when they edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 against Posta Rangers  during Saturday’s early kick-off at the Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Nairobi.

Peter Amani, Tom Adwar and John Avire put the Retailers 3-0 up inside the opening hour before Gerson Likono and Kennedy Kennedy Otieno struck to leave Posta just short of what would have been an incredible fightback.

Nakumatt settled into the game quickly, asserting their style of play on the opposition and nearly raced to the lead after just 12 minutes but last ditch defending from the visitors denied Kelvin Thairu from close range.

Four minutes later, Peter Amani opened the retailers account, heading in from the corner before another spectacular goal courtesy of Tom Adwar. Sammy Okinda and his back line stood still, assuming the danger from Adwar’s shot from the top right edge of the box. He curved into the top left corner to double the lead.

Melis Medo charges were in full flare, repeatedly breaching Rangers’ defence. They could have added a third, from Joe Waaithira who hit the post on a counter attack with goalie Okinda on the floor injured.

A minute after resumption, Waaithira created for himself a scoring chance, gliding into the box past the Rangers defense and rounding the goalie but fluffed his chance with the goal glaring.

Their hard work paid off once more in the 50th, John Avire staying strong with a man on him, shielding the ball and calmly slotted it home.

Despite the strong lead, the retailers had to remain firm at the back, their goalie tipping a looping ball for an unsuccessful corner.

Sammy Omollo’s boys showed their fighting spirit, Gerson Likono getting a goal back for Rangers in the 63rd. The morale was evident as they came close on a couple of occasions, Kennedy Otieno missing three successive chances to the displeasure of the technical bench.

Nakumatt’s resolve was tested, Otieno adding a second for Rangers but they stood strong and sealed all the three points.