- Tusker FC lost the FKF PL title last weekend
- They have won the Cup a previous three times
- Homeboyz are angling for their first ever silverware
Just a week after losing their FKF Premier League title on the final day, Tusker FC are back in action on Saturday when they take on Kakamega Homeboyz in the final of the FKF Cup.
Like wounded lions, the brewers are seeking to finish the season with silverware while Homeboyz are looking to win their first ever top flight trophy.
Pressure will be on Tuysker especially after their failure to defend the league title. The brewers finished two points behind eventual winners Gor Mahia, their 1-1 draw to Posta Rangers in the penultimate match proving to be the deciding factor in the title fight.
Head coach Robert Matano has urged his players to put behind the tears from the league loss and put all their energies in trying to win a fourth FKF Cup title, their first since the double season of 2016.
“It was painful of course not to retain the title, but that is now behind our backs. We have to focus and try to finish the season with a trophy. We have worked hard and I know we deserve this,” said the tactician.
He added; “The players know how important this is to us and we will battle all our efforts to ensure it ends in a win.”
His sentiments were shared by skipper Humphrey Mieno who said the players know the kind of responsibility on their shoulders, and are ready to give it their all.
“As players we feel the pain and we cannot be in contention for two trophies then end up with none. We will give a fight and we will ensure we try to win. We know we are facing a difficult opponent but we are ready for the game,” Mieno said.
Tusker beat Homeboyz home and away in regular season
Tusker’s Eric Zakayo against Eric Ambunya of Homeboyz
In the regular season, Tusker beat Homeboyz both home and away, winning 2-1 in the first leg in Kakamega before winning 1-0 a few weeks ago at their Ruaraka Complex backyard.
Homeboyz are a team in good form, having won two and drawn one of their last three matches, one of the two victories being at the Kasarani Stadium against Gor Mahia.
Homeboyz head coach Patrick Odhiambo who joined the team in mid season said it would be a dream to start off his tenure with a title.
“It would mean a lot for us as a team and also myself as a coach to win this trophy. We have prepared well. We know it will not be easy but we are ready for it. Tusker is a good team and we are also a good team,” the coach noted.
Among the players that Homeboyz will look on to for good tidings will be Moses Shummah, the striker who most recently made his Harambee Stars debut and impressed.
Meanwhile, AFC Leopards and Ulinzi Stars will clash in the third and fourth place play-off in the early kick off.
The winner of the tournament walks home with Sh2mn and an opportunity to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
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