- Tusker coach Robert Matano’s job is on the line
- Gor are the only unbeaten side this season
- Leopards seek their first win in Mombasa
Last season’s top two sides clash at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, with pressure mounting on Tusker’s head coach Robert Matano, after a difficult start to the season. Matano’s side takes on Gor Mahia, the side that beat them to the title last season by a single point, with a must win demand on his table.
The brewers’ last loss to newly promoted Shabana FC was a massive dent into Matano’s future at the club. They have won two, lost two and drawn two of their first six matches of the season.
Against Gor, they need to win to restore faith in their campaign, with the Tusker management reportedly ready to let the tactician leave if he loses against K’Ogalo.
Meanwhile, Gor come into the match high on confidence, an unbeaten run in their books and their last outing being a Mashemeji Derby victory over arch rivals AFC Leopards.
Head coach Jonathan McKinstry however knows that it will not be an easy match against a wounded Tusker FC side.
“I definitely know Robert Matano will be roaring in training before our game to get his side ready for the match. It will not be easy. Our matches against Tusker have always been tough and we expect it this way again,” said the Irishman.
Last season, Gor picked four points from Tusker, beating them 2-1 at Kasarani in the first leg while the second leg ended in a 0-0 draw at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Trucha starts AFC Leopards reign
New AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha at work
Elsewhere, AFC leopards’ new coach Thomas Trucha will start his reign with the club, with a tough away assignment against Bandari FC in Mombasa.
Trucha linked up with the team just this week, as he starts his second stint with the 12-time league champions, having earlier been with them in 2020, though just for a month before unceremoniously leaving.
The Czech tactician has taken the team through their last three training sessions having taken over from Tom Juma who was fired six games into the season, after the Mashemeji Derby loss to arch rivals Gor Mahia.
Leopards are winless this season, having drawn four games and lost two, and the new coach will have the difficult task of reviving the team from its ruins.
Also, Leopards have only scored three goals in six matches, another headache for the new coach.
They come up against a Bandari side also under pressure, the dockers having lost back to back matches and have seven points from six games. Playing at home, they will want to give their all and clinch three points to revive their season early enough.
In the early kick off at Kasarani, Kariobangi Sharks face off with Muhoroni Youth, hoping to bounce back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats. Sharks had started the season well, but identical 1-0 defeats to Posta Rangers and Ulinzi Stars have seen them drop back in the standings.
Muluya hopes to clear fine margins
Kariobangi Sharks warming up before their past match against Ulinzi Stars
Head coach William Muluya says they have lost those two games due to fine margins, but believes they have what it takes to bounce back.
“We have done small mistakes and punished. That is unfortunately how football is. We will however rectify those and definitely look forward to getting maximum points,” the coach said.
Muhoroni have had a poor start to the season with only one win in six matches and will look for a route to get their confidence back. Winning a game away from home will be a welcome boost as they seek to put their season on the balance.
Meanwhile in other matches, Bidco United will welcome Murang’a Seal at the Kasarani Annex, Shabana play Nairobi City Stars in Homabay while Nzoia Sugar face off with Kakamega Homeboyz in Bungoma.
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