Sony Sugar coach tells Tusker not to expect sweetness

Sony Sugar coach Salim Babu during their KPL match against Ushuru at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 02/07/16.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Tusker have had an upper hand in the past five meetings with Sony Sugar, but it is their clash in Awendo on Saturday that matters most.

The first leg at Kasarani on May 21 ended in a 1-1 draw.

On Saturday, the league leaders head to Awendo aware that any other result short of a win will deal a major blow to their title ambitions. They are four points ahead of defending champions Gor Mahia, who take on Mathare United on Sunday at Kasarani.

Sony Sugar are chasing a Top 8 finishing and coach Salim Babu (pictured) has upped the stakes in the game, saying his side will not be a pushover.

“We know Tusker will be coming determined to get all the three points, but we are also interested in the three points because we want to finish among the top eight.

“We have had a good run over the last five matches and we are confident we can come out stronger against Tusker,” Babu said.

The sugar millers have not lost in their last five matches since falling away to Chemelil Sugar by a solitary goal. Last weekend they played to a barren draw against Kakamega Homeboyz in Mumias.

Babu says their determination to beat Tusker is not about doing favours to other challengers in the title race (read Gor Mahia) but their ambition is to finish in a credible position in the league.

“We care less who are in the race, we are looking at our positioning in the league and where we want to be at the end of the season. If we play well and win all our remaining fixtures, we can finish among the top five, which will be an achievement considering where we were at some point this season.”

Tusker coach Paul Nkata has already declared his side champions in waiting. “This is our year. We are done with the GOtv Shield. We are now in a good position to win the league title and that is where all my focus now lies,” Nkata was quoted as saying in the KPL website.

He added: “I am not saying it will be easy. It will be difficult and I expect a lot of resistance and especially from Gor Mahia. I am, however, very confident that we shall win a second trophy at the end of the season.”

Tusker were champions in 2012 when they beat City Stars on the final day when everybody expected Gor Mahia to emerge champions.

Last weekend, Tusker were held to a 1-1 draw by City Stars and with Gor Mahia beating AFC Leopards 2-0, the gap reduced to four points.