Tusker face Mathare in FKF PL
Pressure is mounting on Robert Matano, the head coach of FKF Premier League defending champions Tusker FC face Mathare in FKF PL. Only three wins in eight matches and a lowly 12th spot ranking on the table, Matano is required to stop the slump with his job on the line.
The brewers take on struggling Mathare United on Thursday afternoon at their Ruaraka Complex backyard, in what is potentially a banana skin fixture.
Fixtures between these two teams have always been too close to call with Tusker winning eight and Mathare six of their last 25 meetings. Last season, Tusker won the first leg 1-0 and drew 0-0 in the return tie at Ruaraka.
The Slum Boys have their own fair share of troubles. The players have not been training in numbers due to a financial crunch at the club leading to revolt among the playing squad.
Mathare had asked for postponement of the fixture as they could not raise a full team in training after the Christmas festivities, but now, they will have to dive into the fixture head on.
They have lost four of their last five games and will be seeking for a new year bounce with victory at Ruaraka.
Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano
For Tusker, this is more than a must-win match. A huge change of the squad at the start of the season with mega signings came with expectation, but the brewers have struggled to show their might this season.
They have already lost half of their games and another defeat against a struggling Mathare United on Thursday will definitely put Matano’s job under threat.
Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has underlined just how vital the three points against Mathare will be for them.
“It has been a really tough start to the season but I believe we have to collect ourselves up as a team. We need to get our focus back on track and try to get three points to end the year well. I am confident that we have the ability to do that and I hope we do so,” the goalkeeper stated.
Elsewhere in other fixtures, Gor Mahia will host Nairobi City Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium looking to bounce back after losing their last match away to Kakamega Homeboyz.
K’Ogalo have had a fairly better start to the season and are fifth in the standings with 18 points, seven behind leaders Homeboyz and two matches at hand.
Nairobi City Stars players before a past match
At the same time, City Stars who are seventh are also looking to bounce back from their last match where they lost by a solitary goal to KCB.
The bankers will meanwhile host struggling Nzoia Sugar at the Utalii Complex. KCB are second in the standings with 21 points and a win will take them a point closer to the top.
Nzoia are in troubles of their own as head coach Ibrahim Shikanda has not travelled with the team after telling the club’s management of his desire to leave citing frustrations among the leadership. The sugar millers have lost three of their last five matches and are second from bottom.
In other matches scheduled for Wednesday, Bidco host Wazito while Posta Rangers face off with Police FC, both matches scheduled for the Thika Sub-County Stadium.
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