By Gilbert Wandera
NAIROBI, KENYA: Tusker coach Robert Matano has warned his players against underrating Ulinzi Stars when the two sides clash in this top-of-the-bill Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
Matano, at the same time, said he does not fear the soldiers who have struggled in the last two fixtures and insists he is determined to pick all three points.
“The league has been tough so far and one cannot make the mistake of underrating any team. It is something we ourselves cannot afford to do against Ulinzi Stars.
“But we do not fear them either because they are just like any other team we have met,” he said.
The brewers will make it three wins in a row if they overcome Ulinzi and move to the top three position in the standings for the first time this season.
Last Saturday, Tusker beat Western Stima 1-0 and also beat City Stars 1-0 in a Labour Day fixture.
Matano is spoilt for choice in every department. Ismail Dunga, Jesse Were and Robert Omunik are some of the options he has upfront.
Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch is likely to come back considering his pedigree in big matches. Tusker’s back is fortified under towering defender Joseph Shikokoti.
This is a must-win match for Ulinzi coach Salim Ali after the team fell 2-0 to Karuturi Sports last weekend.
Stars have shown great form against top sides as exhibited by their 2-0 win over Gor Mahia one month ago.
Team captain Evans Amuoka should lead from the front. He has support in Evans Amwai, Stephen Ocholla and Mulinge Munandi. Sofapaka and Homeboyz play in the first match at Nyayo National Stadium today, starting at 3pm.
Sofapaka go into this match on the back of good results exhibited in the last one month, which included a morale boosting 3-1 win over Nairobi City Stars.
With last year’s league top scorer John Barasa having discovered his scoring ways, Sofapaka do not lack the men to put the ball behind the net. Apart from Barasa, there is also Bob Mugalia and Obadiah Tarumbwe.
Fixtures: Today: Muhoroni v Gor (Afraha), Karuturi Sports v Western Stima (Karuturi), Chemelil Sugar v KCB (Chemelil), Sofapaka v Homeboyz (Nyayo), Tusker v Ulinzi Stars (Nyayo-5pm).
Tomorrow: City Stars v Leopards (City Stadium), Sony v Thika United (Awendo) and Bandari v Mathare (Mbaraki). All matches kick off at 3pm unless stated.
