- Tusker are 10 points away from leaders Gor Mahia with seven matches to go
- They beat Ulinzi Stars 1-0 to move back to third
- Ulinzi are battling for a top 10 finish
After bouncing back to winning ways in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars, Tusker FC are looking to finish the season strong.
The brewers were on a poor run of three defeats in a row, being beaten 1-0 by Kakamega Homeboyz to face elimination from the FKF Cup, and suffering defeats to Kariobangi Sharks and FC Talanta to see their league ambitions halted.
The two defeats have seen Tusker fall 10 points behind league leaders Gor Mahia with seven matches to go, but defender Daniel Sakari says they have to give their best with the remaining matches.
“I believe we needed to make a statement and bounce back after that tough run. The victory against Ulinzi was really important for us. We really needed to get that victory especially for our confidence,” Sakari said.
He added; “Now we need to ensure we maintain that same tempo for the remaining matches of the season. You never know what will happen so we just need to keep winning our games.”
The brewers will be free this weekend as the league takes a break for the Cup quarter finals, but their next game will be on May 6, when they host Nzoia Sugar.
Tusker face must win tie
Action between Tusker FC and Ulinzi Stars
Against Ulinzi Stars, Tusker faced a must-win duel after a horrid run, and despite heavy circumstances, managed to pluck off all three points. It was a massively emotional day for their opponents Ulinzi, who were mourning the demis of the club patron, the Chief of Defense Forces General Francis Ogolla.
General Ogolla was being buried the same day, while a memorial service was held on the same venue just a day before. It was also a venue that the General frequented for morning runs with various army teams.
Before the match between Ulinzi and Tusker, both teams observed a minute’s silence, while players and coaches all donned black armbands.
Eric Kapaito scored the winning goal for Tusker, in the slim 1-0 victory against Ulinzi. The victory saw the team put off a two-match losing streak to bounce to third spot in the FKF Premier League standings with 46 points.
Kapaito also moved his tally for the season to 10 goals, while goalkeeper Brian Bwire, who returned to the starting team, also earned his 10th clean sheet of the season.
The hosts had the first chance of the game after just 11 minutes when Leshan Mootian pickpocketed skipper Charles Momanyi of the ball in a dangerous area, but Bwire made a good save to keep out the striker’s curled shot.
Bwire does well on return to starting team
Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Bwire
Bwire was once again needed to make a huge save, this time coming off his line to narrow the angle and block Masita Masuta’s effort one on one after he had broken the offside trap.
Tusker also had some chances, with John Njuguna’s shot from the edge of the area flying straight to the keeper’s arms while James Kibande also had an effort go begging.
In the second half, Tusker started faster off the blocks and just five minutes in got the winning goal, Kibande chipping the ball behind the defense to Kapaito’s run, the latter doing the rest of the job to beat the keeper.
The visitors piled the pressure to try and rally back for a point, and they came close when Brian Bwire adjusted brilliantly to tip over Boniface Muchiri’s deflected shot for a corner.
For Ulinzi, it was yet another tough result to take in a hugely struggling season, and will be left to battle for at least a top 10 finish. The soldiers are placed 13th in the standings with 30 points, five away from the top 10.
Head coach Anthony Kimani has maintained a straight face, that they will achieve a respectable finish.
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