Original trophy to be placed at City

Tusker Premier League organisers have confirmed that the original league trophy will be at City Stadium on Saturday, where leaders Gor Mahia will face Thika United in a season-ending tie that could very well determine the 2012 champions.

Two replica trophies will be taken to the Hope Centre where defending champions Tusker take on City Stars and in Awasi where AFC Leopards clash with Chemelil Sugar.

Gor, Leopards and Tusker can all win the league if Saturday’s result go their way.

However, league leaders Gor have been accorded the honour of lifting the original trophy should they beat Thika United or match the results of their two rivals. It has been a 17-year wait for the fans and Saturday may mark the end of the torment.

They did come this close two years ago only to watch the replica trophy head back to the KPL offices after Ulinzi Stars won the title.

It was at the same venue - City Stadium - which Gor have turned into a fortress. K’Ogalo had 55 points, two behind Ulinzi Stars and the title race had gone to the wire.

At the City Stadium, Gor had to beat City Stars and pray that Ulinzi lose to Karuturi. Well, that did not happen and the Gor fraternity watched in disbelief as the trophy was taken back by KPL.

This time it is Gor who are on top, while Tusker and AFC Leopards are the chasing pack. One point separates K’Ogalo from the two. The Green Army has 58 points and a win will see them lift their 13th league title. If they falter, once again it will be another story of too close yet too far.

Can’t let go

“We cannot afford to falter at this point. We have the bird caged already, we can’t let it go,” said Gor coach Zdravko Logarusic.

“I have a lot of respect for AFC Leopards and Tusker and I know they are also going to win their matches in the weekend, so we must also win,” he added.

“With the original trophy coming to City Stadium, we cannot let it go back. We have come a long way to this point. We must finish the good work we have done.”

On Tuesday, KPL chief executive officer Jack Oguda said they had acquired two replicas which will be at the two other venues at Hope Centre and Chemelil.

“As it stands, any of the three teams can walk away with the title. That is why we have to take replicas to the other venues,” said Oguda.

The 2012 season has been the fiercest fought in recent years with three teams taking the battle to the wire.

AFC Leopards hammered Mathare United 4-2 on Saturday to jump to the top but they found themselves down to third again by Sunday evening after Gor Mahia pummelled Muhoroni Youth 4-0 while Tusker spanked Western Stima 2-0.

Tusker coach Robert Matano said he was under no pressure going into the final game.

“We will just go out there and play our game. At this point you realise it is not in our hands any more, but that does not mean we will not give it a fight. Anything can happen. This is football,” he said.

And Leopards tactician Jan Koops said Gor Mahia could only lose the title though he also said his boys would be keenly monitoring proceedings at City Stadium.