Tusker coach Robert Matano insists their opponents for Sunday’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matchAFC Leopards will be under pressure when the two sides meet at Nyayo Stadium.
Tusker top goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo during a past KPL match. His team will face giants AFC Leopards this weekend. PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD
The two sides meet on Sunday in a top of the bill fixture, which also ushers back the league proper after a one week break to pave way for last weekend’s GOtv Shield.
“The teams that are ahead of us face the greatest pressure to maintain their status. It is always more difficult to be ahead because everyone wants to bring you down.
“It is the same thing ahead of our match against AFC. They will be the ones under pressure when we face them on Sunday,” added Matano.
Leopards are currently placed third on the KPL log with 33 points after holding leaders Gor to a 2-2 tie on Sunday at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani.
In a related development, Matano has predicted that any of the top eight teams in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings can win the title this season.
Matano says his side is also in contention despite lagging behind 12 points adrift of the leaders Gor Mahia. Tusker are currently placed eighth on the standings with 29 points after losing to former champions Ulinzi Stars 1-0 two weeks ago.
“At the moment any of the top eight teams can win the title. It is still open and no one should imagine they have it under wraps,” he said.The top eight teams in order are Gor Mahia, Ulinzi Stars, Sofapaka, Thika United, AFC Leopards, Bandari, KCB and Tusker.
“As a coach I am not worried about our position because last year I took over with ten matches and we won the title. We can still do it this season,” he said.
Matano blamed the team’s latest loss to wastefulness by his strikers and pointed out it is something he needs to continue working on.
“We had many chances while our rivals scored from half a chance. Going forward we need to work on our striking force to increase our chances of winning more matches,” he added.
Meanwhile, the next round of the GOtv Shield kick off on September 8 where most KPL sides will face each other.
After last weekend’s matches, two KPL clubs have been eliminated from the competition and will play no part from now onwards.
Those eliminated include Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) who went down 2-1 against Finlays and Muhoroni Youth who were stopped 2-0 by Kariobangi Sharks.
AFC Leopards will confront old foe Chemelil Sugar in one of the tournament’s pre-quarter matches.
Another interesting match will be between Gor Mahia or Shabana against Thika United. The match between Gor Mahia and Shabana will be played next week with the winner taking on Thika United in the round of 16.
Full fixtures: Western Stima vs Homeboyz (Bukhungu), Mathare United vs Ulinzi Stars (City), Sony Sugar vs Tusker (Awendo), Sofapaka vs City Stars (Nyayo), Bandari vs Finlays (Mbaraki), Karuturi vs Kariobangi Sharks (Naivasha), Chemelil Sugar vsAFC Leopards (Chemelil), and Gor Mahia/Shabana vs Thika United (City/Gusii Stadium).
By GILBERT WANDERA, The Standard
