Tusker look to keep winning run with trip down to the Coast

• Tusker are on a run of six wins in a row
• They beat Bandari in their last visit to Mombasa
• Bandari are under pressure after a poor run

FKF Premier League champions Tusker FC travel down to the Coast to take on Bandari FC in what promises to be a blockbuster tie at the Mbaraki Complex.

The brewers are on an imperious run of six wins on the trot and are looking to chalk their seventh three-point performance of the season, while the dockers are on a run of five winless matches, with three losses in between.

For Tusker, the match will be as crucial as their last of the season as they look to make the most points of some of tehteams regarded as almost direct title opponents.

“We know that they have not been on a good run and they will come all out to try and salvage something for themselves. It will not be an easy match. But we have prepared and trained very well and our ambition is to continue winning,” said Tusker’s coach Robert Matano.

Victory in last trip to Mombasa

Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano during a training session

Tusker’s last trip to the Coast ended in a 2-0 victory at the Mbaraki Complex, but their erstwhile trip before that ended in a 2-1 defeat. Overall, Tusker have won half (12) of their 24 top flight matches against the dockers while Bandari has won six and drawn the rest.

Of the 12 wins Tusker have had against Bandari, half have been in Mombasa, while on three occasions they have lost and drawn a similar number of matches.

This time round, they will be keen to ensure they go back to Nairobi with three points, to keep their title ambitions strong.

“We want to continue our run and we want to keep winning. We are psyched and I know we are able and capable,” further said coach Matano.

Good run for Tusker

Tusker FC skipper Humphrey Mieno and midfielder David Odoyo in training

They have had a good run and have scored in each of their last six games, keeping two clean sheets and conceding four. One of the players who has been key on their frontline is Ugandan marksman Deogratious Ojok.

The forward has netted five goals in six matches, just four shy of his tally of nine in the entirety of last season. Ojok is expected to lead the line once again for the brewers against Bandari, as he looks to steer the Tusker boat to another victory.

“It has been a good season for me and I believe it is because we had a better and longer pre-season and I have also settled well into the team. My target this season is to score at least 15 goals for the team and I trust that I can do it,” he added.

While Tusker are enjoying the fortunes of good form, Bandari’s head coach Anthony Kimani is a man under pressure. The former Harambee Stars defender has to sail his side to victory with his job on the line.

The dockers had a busy transfer window at the start of the season reinforcing the squad well, but have only managed one win in six matches, their season opening victory against Sofapaka. Last weekend, they were smacked 3-1 by Posta Rangers at their backyard.