Kenyan Premier League ( KPL) champions Tusker have a chance to storm into the top three for the first time this season when they take on Thika United at City Stadium, Nairobi, saturday.
Thika United goalkeeper Indeche (left) and Tusker captain Joseph Shikokoti. The two teams lock horns today in a top-of-the bill Kenyan Premier League ( KPL) match
At the moment, Tusker are placed sixth on the standings with 28 points and victory will push them to 31 points and into second position on a better goal aggregate compared to Thika United.
Since winning the KPL Top Eight tournament three weeks ago, Tusker have not lost a match and go into this fixture very confident.
The team, handled by Robert Matano, have had a complete turn around in the last four matches and have regained their championsâ flair.
For goals, the brewers will look upto a lethal attack made up of Jesse Were, who is the current top scorer with 12 goals, Michael Olunga and Ishmael Dunga.
Another key player in the brewers line-up is Ugandan Robert Omunik, who is good at crosses to the front men.
Thika have a chance to revenge against a team that denied them a chance to pick their first ever silverware after they went down on post-match penalties in the final of the KPL Top Eight two weeks ago.
After that loss to Tusker, Thika went on to lose 4-0 against Western Stima, but last Saturday edgedMathare United 1-0, giving them motivation for saturdayâs fixture.
Youthful striker David Kingatua, who scored a double for Thika in the Top Eight final has another chance to do the same saturday. Thika coach John Kamau will also be happy that veteran defender Dennis Odhiambo has recovered and is back.
Troubled Sofapaka host KCB today in a match whose results could give coach David Ouma breathing space. After Sofapaka went down 1-0 to Muhoroni Youth last weekend, Ouma has been under pressure and has been given an ultimatum of two games to improve.
His first opportunity is against KCB, but Ouma will not need to worry much because the former KPLchampions have so been impressive at City Stadium.
With influential defender Eugine Asike coming back after failing to secure a professional move, theSofapaka defence looks very stable. Upfront, veteran striker John Barasa still carries the teamâs hopes.
The bankers go into this match inspired by their recent form and will be raring to bring down Sofapakain their bid to keep in touch with the top sides.
At the bottom, Homeboyz must stop Mathare Unitedtoday if they are to restore their hopes of surviving against relegation.
The KPL newcomers have lost their last two matches and coach Edward Manoah will have a difficult time motivating his boys to pick themselves up after those two losses.
By GILBERT WANDERA, The Standard
