Tusker’s victory against AFC inspires title belief

• Randy Bakari scored an own goal
• Tusker are now seven points behind leaders Gor
• There are 10 matches left before the season ends

Tusker’s last FKF Premier League victory against AFC Leopards has inspired belief that the brewers can pull a late battle for the title. Tusker beat Leopards 1-0 in Machakos, a result that sees them push to within seven points of leaders Gor Mahia who were beaten 1-0 at Bandari.

Coach Robert Matano believes the team can push to the end and with 10 matches remaining, anything can happen.

“In football, it is not over until it is over. We have 10 matches remaining and as Tusker, we never lose hope. We will fight until the end. Our target is to win our matches and see what comes at the end of it,” said Matano, after the win over AFC.

His sentiments are shared by midfielder David Odoyo. “We have to keep working and pushing to win all the remaining matches. Our target is to win the league.”

Odoyo also says; “We are thankful for the victory we picked more specifically because we played according to how we planned and everyone gave a good effort. We wanted to get the three points and we really pushed and worked till the final whistle. We want to continue that way even in the next game,” Odoyo notes.

Tusker boosted massively by the win

“It is a massive boost to win five games in a row and it shows the good spirit we have had. Everyone wants to put in an effort and try to achieve our targets of fighting for the league title.”

The 19-year old midfielder put up a brilliant display in midfield to see Tusker get the vital three points, and they look to charge up for the league title with 10 matches to go.

Action between Tusker FC and AFC Leopards

Odoyo has lauded his partnership with Chris Erambo in midfield and says their friendship off the pitch has been a huge factor in improving their own performances individually.

“We usually encourage each other on the pitch and off the pitch. We push each other to improve in every game because we want to achieve good things at the end of the season and if any of us is named as young player of the season it would be a huge plus,” noted Odoyo.

With action taking a three week break before the round of 16 of the FKF Cup, Odoyo has urged his teammates not to let their guards down.

“We have to keep working during the break to ensure we don’t lose momentum. We have a good team and if we continue putting effort and working as a team like we have done till now, we will get good results,” he says.

Against AFC, Tusker FC put up a tactically disciplined performance, coupled with some resilience in the second half to beat Leopards.

Bakari diverts ball into his own net

An own goal from Randy Bakari in the 35th minute was the difference as the Brewers raked in a fifth consecutive win, to move to 43 points, seven behind leaders Gor Mahia.

Bakari diverted the ball into his own net, after John Njuguna dummied Mike Oduor’s low cross, a goal that proved to be vital for the three points.

Tusker striker Eric Kapaito controls the ball under pressure from AFC Leopards’ Randy Bakari.

Before that, Tusker had dominated the game pressing Leopards high and denying them spaces to operate. There were some good chances at goal, first John Njuguna rifling a shot from distance that was well collected by the AFC goalie, before Eric Kapaito tried his luck, also from range, with his weaker left foot but the ball rolled wide.

After the goal, Tusker had some more chances as they choked Leopards into their own half, and the closest came off Shaphan Oyugi’s boot, the forward’s shot from distance forcing the keeper into another full-flight save.

In the second half, the visitors came off the break faster off the blocks and in the 58th minute, Brian Opondo had to make a brilliant save to tip the ball over the bar after Arthur Gitego took a snap shot from inside the box.

Tusker defend well

The pumped in the pressure dumping balls wide, but Daniel Sakari and Collins Otieno, manning either wing, did well to ensure that the danger was minimalized.

On the other end, Njuguna had two efforts at goal, but both his curling efforts sailed wide off target. Late on, substitute Fabidn Adikiny should have wrapped up the game when he picked up a lose ball inside the box, but his effort on the volley rose over the bar.

The victory ensures Tusker remains on a good run as the league takes a four-week break, and football action goes on a three-week lull before resumption with the FKF Cup round of 16 matches at the end of the month.