Gor Mahia, Tusker FC jostle for FKF PL title in penultimate round

• Wednesday will see the penultimate round of matches played
• Gor Mahia lead the standings with a two-point gap
• Tusker are looking to defend their title

Defending champions Tusker FC and leaders Gor Mahia intensify their battle for the FKF Premier League title on Wednesday as the two play the penultimate round of matches.

Gor lead the log with 67 points, two ahead of second placed Tusker and have fate in their hands as they jostle to wrestle back the title from the brewers. They will only need to win their two remaining matches to reclaim the title.

The brewers who slipped from the top after losing 2-1 away to Muhoroni Youth in their last league match must win and hope Gor drop points for them to battle back to the top. A win on Wednesday when they host Posta Rangers at the Ruaraka Complex coupled with a defeat for Gor against Kakamega Homeboyz will see them move back top.

“We know it is a tough game for us but we are focused to win because we want to clinch a double this season. We know fate is not in our hands, but we must win our match and hope things work in our favour,” said Tusker’s head coach Robert Matano.

Last season, Tusker beat Posta 2-0 at the same venue to confirm their title, which was later nullified by the Federation. In the previous season, they lost to the mailmen at the same venue in a match that almost cost them the title.

This time though, the stakes are higher and they know there is minimal room for mistakes.

“We know we are facing a very tough team and they are motivated as well to come and try beat us. But we have to be ready,” said Tusker’s coach Matano.

Posta have lost four games in a row 

Tusker’s Eric Zakayo vies for the ball with Posta Rangers’ Ken Owino

The mailmen have lost four consecutive games, and are seeking to nudge victory for a morale boosting end to the season. Victory will push them to 10^th, if Kariobangi Sharks lose away to Bandari FC in Mombasa.

Meanwhile in Kasarani, GOr host Homeboyz, a side that beat them in the Cup to eliminate them.

But history will favour the 19-time champions who have never lost to Homeboyz in Nairobi. In eight fixtures played in the capital against Homeboyz, they have won six and drawn two. Overall, in 18 matches between the two, Gor Mahia have won 11 and lost only three, with the rest ending in draws.

“We know it will not be an easy match. Homeboyz as we have seen this season are a very difficult opponent. They have very good and physical players and they are a very fit side. We know what we are facing and we are prepared well for it,” said Gor Mahia’s coach Jonathan McKinstry.

Homeboyz looking to book continental slot 

Homeboyz celebrate their win over Sharks in a past match at Kasarani

Homeboyz are coached by Patrick Odhiambo, who has worked as an assistant and interim head coach at Gor before he moved to Tanzania. They are also looking to win the game as a victory for them and another for Tusker will mean the brewers stand a better chance for a double.

A double for Tusker will mean Homeboyz, who face the brewers in the Cup final on July 1, automatically qualify for continental football whether or not they win in the Cup.