Tusker face Sony, Gor Mahia entertain Mathare as title race hots up

It is now down to permutations as the Kenyan Premier League enters the homestretch this weekend.

Leaders Tusker and second-placed Gor Mahia, separated by only four point with only three matches to the end of the season, have tricky ties against Sony Sugar and Mathare United respectively.

The results from these matches could paint a clear picture of which team will be crowned champions come November 19.

Tusker, away to Sony Sugar at the tough hunting ground that is Awendo Green Stadium, could be crowned champions for the first time in four years should they beat Salim Babu’s charges today and Gor lose to Mathare on Sunday.

Any other outcome from the two matches will see the title race spill over to next weekend which will be the penultimate round of league matches.

The brewers allowed the defending champions back into the title race after drawing 1-1 with Nairobi City Stars last weekend, and K’Ogalo took the cue and floored arch-rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 to kick the title race wide open once more.

Tusker coach Paul Nkata and his Gor Mahia counterpart Jose Marcelo Ferreira are under immense pressure as they try to mastermind a formula of guiding their charges to the coveted title.

Ferreira has urged his team to believe in themselves because “no one will do it for us”, while Nkata has declared that he will not fail in his quest for a double.

“We are still in the race and so we have to do our best to ensure that we come out victorious. What remains now is to have confidence and a wining mentality. I have told the players to be confident and to work hard because if we don’t then nobody will do it for us,” Ferreira said.

Ferreira has been under immense pressure from the Green Army after a string of poor performances in the league and the KPL Top 8 final loss to Muhoroni Youth a fortnight ago had his critics calling for his sacking but the win over Leopards has bought him more time, for the time being.

The Brazilian guided Gor to a 2-0 win over Mathare in the first leg, and only a repeat result will guarantee his charges a further stay in the title race.

Tusker also are under pressure to deliver the club’s 11th league title and Nkata knows a win in Awendo will move them closer to the crown.
Tusker are without skipper James Situma and defender Eugene Asike who are both injured meaning Lloyd Wahome and Martin Kizza will continue to deputise in central defence.

Nkata has already delivered the GOtv Shield, and has vowed to fight tooth and nail to ensure that the league title heads to Ruaraka.

“This is our year and I have told the players that they can win the league title only if they remain focused,” Nkata said.

“We are in a good position to win the title and that is where my focus lies. I know it will be difficult but I am very confident that we shall do it,” he told Daily Nation Sport.

In other league matches this weekend, Ushuru have a battle at hand when the host Muhoroni Youth at Ruaraka today in their bid to beat the chop while Posta Rangers welcome spluttering Bandari at Kasarani.

Highflyers Western Stima battle neighbours Chemelil Sugar in what is expected to be a cracking encounter in Kisumu on Saturday.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Sony Sugar v Tusker (Awendo Stadium, 2pm)

Posta Rangers v Bandari (Kasarani Stadium, 3pm)

Ushuru v Muhoroni Youth (Ruaraka, 3pm)

Western Stima v Chemelil Sugar (Moi Stadium, 3pm)

Sunday

City Stars v Kakamega Homeboyz (Kasarani Stadium, 2pm)

Ulinzi Stars v Thika United (Afraha Stadium, 3pm)

Gor Mahia v Mathare United (Kasarani Stadium, 4.15pm)