Ingwe’s turn to taste Tusker effect in KPL
Tusker are considered odds on favorites for the 2019/2020 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title but the real test as pertains their destiny comes in form of AFC Leopards who they meet Saturday at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
The brewers are at the top of the league chart with 27 points and it would be safe to allude that they will be on the right path should they beat Ingwe in what should be an explosive encounter.
With Tusker having gone seven matches without a loss, the team’s coach Robert Matano will relish attaining a 30-point mark going into the league’s break on Monday after which action will resume on January 3, 2020.
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Tusker last won the top tier league in 2016 and will be pulling out all the stops to recapture it from Gor Mahia who won the subsequent three editions to have it for keeps.
But Matano is not overzealous despite his team’s top placing in the current season and has urged his charges to strive to be a composed lot in the league which he described as challenging to fault.
‘’The league is not for the faint-hearted but I think we will manage the pressure and all I want is for my players to do the right things on the pitch. We just need to have a positive attitude and seize the opportunity to grind more positive results,’’ said Matano.
However, in Leopards, Tusker will be up a against an invigorated team that deserved to win against Kenya Commercial bank (KCB) last Thursday in a match that ended in a barren draw.
Ingwe Strikers Hansel Ochieng’ and Vincent Oburu both made forays against the bankers’ goalmouth but failed to score and will need to be sharp if they are to beat goalkeeper Robert Mboya between Tuskers posts.
Tusker will be without key national team striker Timothy Otieno, which leaves Luke Namanda and Jackson Macharia with the main task of prodding Leopards’ backline.
Meanwhile, Ulinzi Stars take battle to Kakamega Homebopyz at Afraa Stadium in Nakuru in yet another match that has all the ingredients of a thriller
Sixth-placed Ulinzi will be inspired by their latest 4-1 victory over Chemelil Sugar and even without free-scoring Oscar Wamalwa, who is serving Harambee Stars in the Cecafa Challenge Cup in Uganda, they hope to get something in the clash.
The game is crucial in all aspects and vociferous Homeboyz fans, who have a habit of accompanying their team in away matches, will be hoping that it will revisit the exploits which saw it dispatch Bandari 1-0 at Bukhungu Stadium last weekend.
A win for Homeboyz, who will be missing offensive international midfielder Moses Mudavadi, will see them jump from the tenth to the ninth position in the log. - CHARLES THUKU
