- Tusker has not beaten Gor over the last three meetings
- Gor are unbeaten this season
- AFC clash with City Stars in Bukhungu
Tusker and Gor Mahia will clash in an epic duel of the FKF Premier League, in what many see as a clash pitting two of the league’s title contenders.
Tusker will look to reduce the gap between them and leaders Gor. The brewers are currently placed third in the standings with 31 points, nine behind leaders Gor Mahia who are unbeaten after 18 rounds of matches.
Defender Boniface ‘Kajos’ Onyango believes the team has what it takes to win against Gor, especially looking at the form they have been carrying for the last nine games.
“We know that they have had a good run and are unbeaten, but also, they are coming up against a strong team. Our ambition is to win and reduce the gap with the top,” Onyango noted.
He added; “We have a lot of confidence especially looking at how we have been perfoming in the last few games and everyone is determined to keep that run going.”
Tusker have won their last five matches, and the last two have been collectively with eight goals scored and only one conceded.
Against Gor, they have failed to win the last three meetings, with two defeats and a draw. The first leg ended in a contentious 1-0 victory for K’Ogalo and Tusker are looking to avenge.
Tusker will be under pressure, say Gor
Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry shares a word with skipper Philemon Otieno. PHOTO/Gor Mahia
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry has said pressure will be on Tusker FC when the two sides clash in Machakos.
The coach believes the brewers need to win at all costs to reduce the gap between them and thus will be under more pressure.
“It is a bigger game for them than us,” McKinstry said. He adds; “It is one of those games that Tusker gave to win to keep within touching distance and for us, even if we don’t win, we will still be on top. We want to win however, the boys have that focus but we know the pressure is on our opponents,” the coach stated.
Gor has beaten Tusker twice in the last three meetings and once again, McKinstry expects a difficult duel.
“In the last decade or so it has been us and Tusker Fc fighting for the title and it has always been a difficult game when we meet. We expect the same especially because we know Tusker will throw everything at us to win,” the Irishman added.
Gor will have a clean bill of health with the exception of John Macharia who is nursing an injury. Defender Kennedy Onyango will also return after missing last week’s win at Sharks on suspension.
AFC clash with City Stars in Bukhungu
Nairobi City Stars players celebrate their win over Kariobangi Sharks
In other entertaining fixtures lined up for Saturday, on-form Nairobi City Stars will take on a resurgent AFC Leopards at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.
Leopards have been turning the results around of late after a difficult start to the season. Ingwe have won four of their last four games to rise to 12th in the standings and they come up against a City Stars side that has won seven matches on the trot. Their first leg meeting ended in a 3-2 victory for City Stars and Ingwe will come seeking revenge, especially at the Bukhungu Stadium where they enjoy superb support.
City Stars meanwhile know it will not be easy for them.
“Definitely in the second leg, teams will come looking at us differently. We need to be tougher and more composed and determined. But we don’t want the pressure to get into us. We just need to take a match at a time,” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti.
Meanwhile in other fixtures, KCB take on Muhoroni Youth in Thika, Bandari play Kariobangi Sharks in Mombasa and Shabana play host to Ulinzi Stars in Homabay.
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