- Tusker have dropped to sixth in the standings
- They have lost back to back matches
- They face Shabana who are fighting relegation
After back to back defeats, Tusker FC is keen to make a response and earn victory as they play Shabana FC away in Homabay. The brewers have lost to leaders Gor Mahia and Bidco United to see their title hopes crushed, but hope that a win against Shabana can revitalize their hopes.
They are 13 points behind Gor, but a win in Homabay can reduce that gap to 10 points and give them some hope of battling for the crown.
“It is very vital for us to get a win because we want to ensure the gap does not grow. We have definitely learnt some lessons from the two defeats we had and we want to make amends,” said defender Eugene Asike.
He adds; “We have trained really well and everyone is focused. Everyone knows what is at stake and we have to step into the pitch and give our best.”
They come up against a struggling Shabana that beat them 1-0 in Nairobi in the first leg. It was a painful defeat for Tusker then, and still seething from that loss, they want to make amends.
“It was a really hurting loss for the team and we clearly want to do better. They are a good side and if you look at how they have recruited, they will be stronger than in the first leg. But we have our confidence that we can get a good result,” Asike adds.
Ahead of the match, the team will be without Tom Teka, who has just resumed training after poicking injury after the Gor Mahia game. Teka was expected to be back for this game, but was not deemed fit enough, with only one training session under his belt.
Tusker also missing Sakari
Tusker FC defender Daniel Sakari
Also missing the game for Tusker is defender Daniel Sakari, who misses with personal issues.
Meanwhile, Tusker come up against a Shabana side eager to fight relegation, and are coached by former Tusker FC defender and Captain Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo as head coach.
Omollo expects a tough game against his former employers and knows they have to be at their best to get a victory.
“Definitely pressure is on Tusker’s side because of the losses they have experienced and we know they will come in to try and bounce back. For us, we have that focus and will give our best to win at home,” the recently appointed coach said.
Omollo has taken charge of the team in three games, winning his first duel 5-2 away to Nzoia Sugar, lsong 1-0 to Ulinzi and drew 0-0 with City Stars in Machakos last weekend.
Meanwhile, in other matches, AFC Leopards will take on Murang’a Seal at the Nyayo National Stadium, seeking to continue with their winning momentum. Leopards have not lost in five matches, winning their last four.
Head coach Tomas Trucha hopes his side can continue winning, having revived the fortunes of the side in the second leg of the season.
Trucha keen to raise Leopards
AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha. PHOTO/Capital Sports
Trucha took up the team midway through the first leg, Leopards having struggled to get results, and has since helped them to raise all the way to second in the standings.
“The task for me was to put things tight and give trust to the players. There is a lot of competition in the squad and I also believed time has helped me. We had time to work together in Mumias during the international break and that helped the players to understand how we want them to play,” the coach said.
Trucha is stull reserved on what he wants the team to achieve at the end of the season, but believes they are on the way to finishing in a good position.
“This league is tough and every team comes out to win. You cannot expect an easy game from anyone. Hopefully we continue with the winning run but we have to be very careful,” Trucha opined.
The club has strengthened in the mid-season transfer window, bringing in Rwandese forward Arthur Gitego, while they have also snapped up immediate former Posta Rangers skipper Ken Owino.
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