NAIROBI — It took 70 minutes of frustration, grit, and near-misses at the Kasarani Annex, but when Ian Simiyu finally found his range, he didn’t just win a football match—he reignited a title race.

The Tusker FC winger, whose move from Nzoia Sugar in February had been marked more by promise than product, delivered a masterclass in patience on Sunday afternoon. His second-half brace secured a 2-0 victory over a struggling Sofapaka side, vaulting the Brewers to 21 points—level with table-toppers Kenya Police FC.

For the hundreds of fans braving the December heat, this wasn't just about three points. It was a statement of intent from a Tusker side that has quietly clawed its way back into championship contention.

The "10-Goal" Promise

Speaking post-match, a visibly relieved Simiyu didn't shy away from setting the bar high. After struggling to find the net in his initial months at Ruaraka, the winger revealed a personal pact he made with himself.

"I have set my sights on attaining 10 goals in the ongoing Football Kenya Federation Premier League," Simiyu asserted. "The start was tough, but today proves that the work is paying off. This is for the fans who stuck by us."

His performance backed up the bravado. The deadlock-breaker arrived in the 70th minute—a moment of individual brilliance where Simiyu drove in from the left, squeezing a low shot through the legs of Sofapaka goalkeeper Edward Olak. It was a goal born of persistence, coming just moments after teammate Charles Momanyi had a header controversially waved away by the officials.

Tactical Switch Pays Dividends

Tusker’s head coach, Charles Okere, will feel vindicated by his faith in the winger. The tactical introduction of veteran striker Eric Kapaito in the second half proved the catalyst for the second goal. In the 78th minute, Kapaito’s clever movement on the right flank opened up the Sofapaka defense, allowing him to cut the ball back for an unmarked Simiyu to slot home his third goal of the season.

The victory serves a dual purpose for the Brewers:

• Revenge: It buries the ghosts of the humiliating 7-1 defeat Tusker suffered at the hands of Sofapaka in May 2025.
• Momentum: It marks a third consecutive win, signaling that the Brewers have found their rhythm just as the league approaches its crucial middle phase.

Sofapaka’s Relegation Nightmare

While Tusker eyes the crown, Sofapaka is staring into the abyss. The defeat leaves Batoto ba Mungu rooted in the relegation zone at 17th place, a shadow of the side that once terrorized the league. Despite flashes of quality from set-pieces, their inability to convert chances—compounded by defensive lapses in transition—continues to cost them dearly.

For the average Kenyan football fan, the stakes are clear. A strong Tusker side pushes the quality of the league, potentially attracting better sponsorships and improving the local game's economy. With the Brewers now separated from Kenya Police only by a slender goal difference, the race for the title—and the ticket to continental football—is officially wide open.

"We are not looking at the table yet," Simiyu added, wiping sweat from his brow. "We are just looking at the next net."