- Tusker have won four of their last five games
- They ended the year with a win over Police FC
- Sofapaka have named Zedekiah Otieno as new coach
Tusker FC will look to start the year brightly, just as they ended it, when they take on KCB FC at the Police Sacco Grounds in South C. Tusker put off a poor start to the season to rise towards the end of the year, with four wins in five matches hoisting them into the top half of the standings.
The brewers have not lost against the bankers over the last six meetings, winning the last three back to back, having drawn the consecutive previous three.
And, Tusker will be looking to continue with that run against their crossroad neighbors. The last time these two sides met at the Police Sacco Grounds was in last season’s FKF Cup, which the brewers won 2-0 in the quarter finals.
Defender Mike Kibwage, a former captain of the bankers knows it will not be an easy outing against his ex employers, but says the team is focused on getting three points.
“We ended last year well and that is exactly how we want to start the new year. We know that the league is a marathon and we are now getting to the halfway point so it would be good for us to ensure we remain close to the leaders,” Kibwage said.
His sentiments are shared by right back Daniel Sakari, who says the team wants to start the year on a high.
“They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and for us, this is our first step into the new year. We want to start well,” he said.
Tusker look to move fifth
Tusker FC defender Daniel Sakari
Tusker are currently placed seventh in the standings and victory will hoist them into fifth spot, currently occupied by the bankers.
KCB ended the year with defeat, losing 1-0 to Nzoia Sugar at the same venue, and they are keen to bounce back to winning ways, especially in a match they will be at home in.
Meanwhile, FKF Premier League strugglers Sofapaka have named veteran tactician Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno as their new head coach until the end of the season. Batoto ba Mungu have been under Ezekiel Akwana since the firing of Francis Harigingo just six matches into the new season.
It was expected that Akwana would be handed the mantle till the end of the season, but with the club’s fortunes not going any better, they have decided to go for the trusted hands of Otieno to aid their charge.
The tactician was with KCB FC for the last four seasons, but left at the end of his contract before the start of the season. Zico had previously been a long time assistant at Gor Mahia where he won numerous Premier League titles.
He had initially been rumored to be headed to Bandari and was also interviewed for the Ulinzi Stars job at the start of the season.
And now, Sofapaka hope that the tactician can help them secure Premier League safety. They have won only two of their 16 matches this season, losing a massive 10. They are second from bottom in the standings with 14 points, only one shy of bottom placed Nzoia Sugar.
First match in charge against Bidco
Former KCB coach Zedekiah Otieno
His first match in charge will be against Bidco United on January 7 in Machakos.
Meanwhile in other fixtures scheduled for Sunday, under pressure AFC Leopards will welcome Ulinzi Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium, looking to also start the year as they ended last. Ingwe, who have had a torrid campaign picked four points out of a possible six in their last two matches of 2023, and seek to keep the tide running.
In the early kick off in South C, Kariobangi Sharks play Murang’a Seal.
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