Kimanzi backs Tusker to win KPL title race

PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU Tusker's Kevin Kimani dribbles the ball during their Tusker Premier League match against Bandari FC at the Ruaraka Sports Ground on March 8, 2014. Tusker won 2-1.

What you need to know:

  • Leopards travel to Muhoroni Youth in weekend action
  • Jesse Were and Ismail Dunga scored the goals that lifted Tusker to fourth place with seven points out of nine matches with a game at hand.

Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi insists the brewers remain favourites for the title because they have the right quality of players and depth in squad that can help the team realise that dream.

The 2012 Kenyan Premier League champions last weekend marked their second consecutive win with a 2-1 victory against Bandari at Ruaraka, giving the brewers a real chance of bouncing back after a slow start that saw them draw 1-1 with Thika United in their first match.

Jesse Were and Ismail Dunga scored the goals that lifted Tusker to fourth place with seven points out of nine matches with a game at hand.

“I am impressed by the quality of players at Tusker. Jesse Were is clearly improving with every match and his presence inspires confidence in the players,” Kimanzi told Daily Nation Sport.

FOURTH ON THE LOG

Currently placed fourth in the table, the brewers will seek to increase their prospects of rising to the top of the log when they face KCB at the City Stadium this Thursday, and Kimanzi says they are leaving nothing to chance as they seek to win all matches.

“I have noticed that many teams are employing defensive tactics at this point in the league but for us, we will go full throttle to fight for the silverware because I know that this team can make it,” he said. 

Chemelil Sugar also dismissed Sofapaka 1-0 at the Chemelil Sports Complex. It was the second loss for the 2009 champions, a setback to the team’s charge to the season’s title.

The ‘Batoto ba Mungu’ have lost two matches out of four, a worrying result for coach Sam Timbe who splashed Sh1.2m to bring back Kenyan international Humphrey Mieno in his quest to bag the KPL trophy this season after a four year hiatus.

The inconsistent Sofapaka now have an even tougher task next weekend when they meet AFC Leopards at their new Machakos home ground where they suffered their first loss against Sony Sugar two weeks ago.

Chemelil Sugar however climbed to second place with eight points, but whether they will maintain the position remains to be seen this weekend when they welcome Top Fry.

KRA face a difficult hurdle this weekend against an impressive Sony Sugar as Muhoroni Youth welcome Leopards.