OFF THE HOOK: De Jongh breathes sigh of relief as Tusker shift focus to KPL

AFC Leopards Coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh during their KPL match against City Stars at Nyayo National Statium on Wednesday 23/07/14.PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO

Tusker have shifted their focus on the Kenyan Premier League after being bundled out of the Gotv Shield by defending champions AFC Leopards at the weekend.

The Brewers were left to lick their wounds after a lapse in concentration allowed Leopards to come back from two goals down and beat them 3-2 in a pulsating semi-final clash at the City Stadium.

Leading 2-0 at the break, Francis Kimanzi’s men stood on the verge of reaching the last four of the tournament, but Lyod Wahome’s own goal after Austine Ikenna’s penalty kick and a brilliant strike from Humphrey Mieno helped Leopards avenge their KPL Top-8 final defeat against Tusker.

With Tusker’s hopes of winning the Kenyan Premier League having been dented following their 2-1 loss to Ulinzi Stars and currently lying third, six points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia, the Ruaraka-based side came into this match seeking to bounce back ahead of Saturday’s league match against Mathare United.

“It’s a very big blow because we had high expectations on that match and we really needed a win. When we don’t concentrate fully, things get a bit complicated. We got disorganised and panicked after the first goal,” said Kimanzi.

BIASED OFFICIATING

“Somehow, the officiating was also not fair and it is up to the organisers to create a fair competition if they want the level of our game to develop.

“But all the same that’s the mistake of going for long without winning. It’s painful for the players because every game they want to win, they end up losing but we are talking to them and hope we will get the confidence back. We still have the league and the title race is wide open, so we will continue fighting until the final moment,” added the Dutch trained coach.

Tusker midfielder Osborne Monday blamed concentration lapse for their elimination.

“We were better than them (AFC Leopards) in the first half, but in the second half we just lost concentration and it cost us dearly. We really need to win our next match to get motivated,” said Monday.

As the Brewers were lamenting, Leopards coach Pieter De Jongh, who’s recently been under heavy criticism over Ingwe’s slump in league form, breathed a sigh of relief and vowed to retain the title following his side’s dramatic comeback.

“Coming from two goals against a team of Tusker calibre to beat them is not easy, but the boys’ character and never-say-die attitude won us the match. We’ve been constant with our performance in the league, but today’s comeback is memorable,” said De Jongh.

“Although I expect a tough opposition from Sofapaka, our target is to retain the Cup and make our fans happy,” he added.

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