Tusker’s new man Leonard Odipo turns attention on Gor

Tusker FC players celebrate a goal against AFC Leopards during their KPL Top 8 quarter-final match at Nyayo Stadium on September 27, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • Two-legged semi-finals to begin Saturday
  • Tusker have won the Top 8 title for the last two seasons

First impressions are always important, and if acting Tusker coach Leonard Odipo would have his way, he would wish for a different opponent for his first outing in charge of the brewers.

Odipo assumed the coaching duties at Tusker on Wednesday afternoon after Francis Kimanzi stepped aside and with the KPL Top 8 Knockout semi-finals on Saturday against Gor Mahia, he has little time to settle.

For the brewers to lift at least one trophy this season, they must overcome K’Ogalo in the two-legged semis, and this task has fallen squarely on Odipo’s shoulders. In an interview with Daily Nation Sport on Thursday, Odipo admitted that the pressure to perform was high, but it was something he had learnt to keep under control.

“Pressure is a normal thing, and even before I took up this position I knew that it was part of the package. It is a difficult match, but the players are ready and know that we must win this match. It is our only remaining chance for a title,” he said.

Odipo, who was Kimanzi’s assistant, met the club’s top brass Thursday afternoon to finalise the details of his new job, although the managers have already said he will be in charge until the end of this term when they will begin the search for a permanent coach.

NO MAJOR INJURY CONCERNS

There are no major injury concerns for the brewers with the only absentees being Osborne Monday and Daniel Oyirwoth, who have been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery.

“We have good players and they are all fit and ready for the challenge,” he said. The brewers have endured a torrid 2015 season and lie seventh in the league table.

Tusker have won the Top 8 title for the last two seasons and Odipo will be hoping he can guide his charges past the high flying Gor and advance to the final where a date with either Sony Sugar or Sofapaka awaits.