Tusker seek to leapfrog to third with challenging KCB encounter

FKFPL Tusker seek to leapfrog to third with challenging KCB encounter

Mark Kinyanjui 09:02 - 18.02.2024

Tusker whitewashed KCB 5-0 when they last met in February. Will observers witness more of the same on Sunday afternoon?

Tusker will be hosting KCB at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday afternoon hoping to build on from their performance against Shabana a week ago.

The Brewers currently sit 6th on 34 points but could move to third with a win against the Bankers, who did not enjoy a good result the last time they met in January, as Robert Matano’s men whitewashed them 5-0 at the Police Sacco Stadium.

Their rout was part of an eight game winning streak that had seen them practically rise from the ashes of a very sorry first half to the season, but then they suffered blips against Gor Mahia and Bidco United, which put their title hopes in  jeopardy.

Now, Matano’s charges cannot have any more room for complacency and error if they are still to achieve their targets of winning the title they last lost in 2021.

KCB have struggled for form since losing the spine of their team following the expiry of their contracts.

Losing Byrne Odhiambo, the current first choice Harambee Stars goalkeeper, ex-Tusker midfielder Apollo Otieno and striker Francis Kahiro was a big blow, as it meant that head coach Bernard Mwalala had to rebuild mid-season.

KCB have gone without a win in six games now, and their hopes for the title were dashed away.

They now find themselves in 10th place after 21 games on 29 points, but coild jump to seventh with a win and hope that AFC Leopards draw with Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu Stadium

They have won seven, drawn eight and lost six of their fixtures while Tusker have won 10, drawn four ad lost seven.

Mwalala has expressed confidence in the capacity of his charges to bounce back from their indifferent form.

“We lost a good number of dependable players, who were instrumental in the team’s successful run early in the season,” Mwalala remarked as quoted on The Star.

“I had a strong squad and the players had already gelled properly before rival clubs raided our camp. We must start building another winning squad from scratch.”

Mwalala urged his charges to muster up enough courage to put up a valiant fight in their upcoming fixtures.

“Football moments can be harsh sometimes and this is a fact that we should learn to accept. We need to find the courage to shake off our past shortcomings and rise to the occasion in our subsequent matches,” Mwalala remarked.

“We need to exercise patience in the face of current adversity and work towards finding our footing in the competition once again.”