By Gilbert Wandera

Can Tusker afford another loss on the local front?

This will be the big question when the team faces Gor Mahia Wednesday in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top eight return match at Nyayo Stadium.

It is a repeat of last season’s semi-final match, which Gor won 4-0 on goal aggregate. However, this time the results have been reversed with Tusker carrying a slim 1-0 goal advantage going into the return leg.

It is doubtful whether the brewers can win Wednesday’s return match 3-0 to complete the revenge against Gor inflicted last year on the way to winning the second edition of the competition.

Tusker who are also the KPL defending champions have been thrown into a crisis following consecutive 2-1 losses to Thika United and Chemelil Sugar in the league something that must have dampened the confidence level at the Ruaraka side.

But the Ruaraka brewers have a highly experienced coach and squad who will be looking to end a bad run of results with victory Wednesday night well aware that beating Gor Mahia in front of what is expected to be a sold-out crowd will erase all their recent disappointment.

For goals, Tusker will look upto former Mathare United striker Jesse Were who has scored in their last two matches giving him plenty of confidence going into this fixture.

Ismail Dunga is also coming back slowly after a few weeks layoff due to injury and is a great option upfront for Matano.

The biggest boost handed to Matano is the availability of towering defender Joseph Shikokoti who is back in the squad after recovering from a knee injury. Shikokoti is a great asset both in the air and on the ground and scores easily.

Gor will be hoping to take advantage of the misfortunes of their opponents to snatch a ticket to the final.

Though Gor Mahia coach Zradvko Logarusic has insisted he is not under pressure to defend the title as his attention is on winning the league, there is certainly pressure on his side to win this match.

The expectations at the Gor Mahia camp has been such that every match is a must win and this is no different.

Unlike Tusker, Gor have had one of their best starts to the season in three years and currently find themselves among the top five in the standings.

The standards have already been raised and the team cannot afford to slump Wednesday.

Gor were held to a barren draw by City Stars on Saturday in a move that creates concern about the team’s striking ability.

They have been boosted by the return of Rama Salim who was missing when the side played City Stars.

Salim is a great provider for the front men and combines well with Ugandan striker Dan Sserunkuma.

If the two are on top form Wednesday, Tusker will be in great trouble. In goal, Gor also have a safe pair of hands in Jerim Onyango who has made some incredible saves while in goal for the side.

The winner of Wednesday’s match will take on Thika United in the final to be played next month.

Thika edged out Chemelil Sugar last week after winning the return match 3-2 on post-match penalties.