- Tusker lead the standings one point ahead of Gor Mahia
- They play Nzoia Sugar in Bungoma on Saturday
- They can move four points clear with a win
Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano has admitted they will face an uphill task when they take on Nzoia Sugar, but he has said the team is keen on maintaining their winning run.
The brewers have been on a fine winning streak and have moved top of the FKF Premier League standings, after beating Wazito FC in midweek.
They come up against a difficult opponent, Nzoia Sugar, who are placed third in the standings and have been enjoying a good season.
“They have had very good results and they are a good team. They have a good squad with a blend of young and experienced players and I know it will not be easy. We have prepared well for this game and we will approach it with vigour and determination,” the coach stated.
Happy with preparations
Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano during a training session at the Panpaper Stadium in Webuye
Matano says he is happy with how the team has prepared for the tie, especially noting they arrived in Bungoma a day earlier to ensure they had more rest.
Matano has however warned his charges not to put their minds on the run they have had, winning six matches in a row, but instead asked them to put in a worthy performance for the next nine matches.
“What we have won is now behind us. We want to focus on the matches ahead of us. We have to ensure we give our best and not focus on history,” added the tactician.
The tactician will miss the services of midfielder Rodgers Ouma who picked up an injury in the midweek match against Wazito FC and in his place, he will most likely bestow the trust on 19-year old David Odoyo.
Ties between these two sides have been tough and close to call. The first leg ended 0-0 at the Ruaraka Complex. Overall, the team has won six, drawn four and lost two of their last 12 meetings against the sugar millers.
Tusker win in last trip to Bungoma
Tusker FC’s Shami Kibwana in action against Nzoia Sugar
The last trip to Bungoma saw Tusker FC win 1-0 courtesy of Deogratious Ojok’s first half goal. Of the six wins by Tusker, half have come at the Sudi Stadium in Bungoma.
In terms of current form, Tusker have a slight edge with six wins in a row while Nzoia have won four of their last six with the rest being draws.
They are placed third in the standings with 48 points, six behind Tusker FC with 25 matches played.
Nzoia’s last victory against Tusker was in March 2019 when they won 1-0 in Sudi. Their other victory was a 5-2 win in March 2017 when they were promoted to the league.
A win for the Brewers will open up a four-point gap especially of Gor Mahia fail to win against Police FC.
Gor won the first leg 2-1, but come into the match with a bit of a punch having dropped two points in their last match, a 2-2 draw with Posta Rangers. They were leading 2-0 before Posta scored twice in the second half
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