Ingwe seek to sip Tusker
Rivals AFC Leopards and Tusker FC meet in a potentially explosive Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup quarter final tie at Ruaraka today.
Pundits have tipped either of the two to grab a ticket to the CAF Confederations Cup which also comes with an award of Sh 2 million for the winner of the knock-out tournament.
Already, Tusker coach Robert Matano has sounded war-drums ahead of the event, saying his charges are aware of what is at stake.
“The players are mentally and physically ready and what I can say is that we will stage a strong fight and especially given that we will be at home,” said Matano while blaming fatigue for his team’s unconvincing 1-0 win over Division 1 side Luanda Villa in a round of sixteen match in Ruaraka last week.
“There was some element of fatigue because we have been travelling and playing three games in one week which is not easy. But we are coming up well. And believe me you we will be a different preposition against Leopards,” said Matano.
Matano hinted that he will make several changes in the squad that played Luanda Villa and that Tusker fans should expect to see a battle-hardened side thirsting for the title.
“Playing AFC Leopards is a different ball altogether and we hope to give
On their part, Leopards are expected to field a strong brigade with the likes of Elvis Rupia and Austin Odhiambo expected to be their key performers.
For Tusker, they will be the ones under pressure to conjure up a win after they lost 2-1 to Leopards in the first leg of their Betking Kenya Premier League.
En-route to the quarter finals, Leopards beat their ‘sister’ club in Division Two side Bungoma Supers Stars FC 4-2 last week.
Speaking to the Press earlier, Matano warned of a difficult encounter but is expecting therefore to make changes of personnel in the line-up.
“There was some element of fatigue because we have been travelling and playing three games in one week is not easy.
But we are coming up well. There are many and there are others who are working. We will shuffle the team to ensure everyone remains fresh.
We know we will do something better for the next match, “said the veteran tactician who incidentally has previously handled the Big Cats also famously known as Ingwe.
Meanwhile in the early kick-off, John Baraza’s Equity FC faces a test of nerves when they face big-timers Bandari FC in search of a semi-final ticket.
Bandari are coming up against a gritty side and their Rwandese Coach Andre Casa Mbungo has warned his boys against resting on their laurels.
“We cannot just sit and expect things to go our way. We must work hard if we are to navigate to the semi finals,” he said.
The biggest clash will pit Gor Mahia and Kariobangi Sharks tomorrow at Utalii Grounds in what is expected to be a nerve-wracking affair.
KÓgalo beat Division One Zone B leaders Mara Sugar FC 2-1 on Sunday while Sharks overcame Kenya Commercial Bank 5-4 on Post-Match penalties.
