Tusker confront Mathare at Nyayo today

By James Waindi

Tusker face city rivals Mathare United tonight in a match the brewers need to win at all costs to have an outside chance of winning the league title.

Placed third in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) table on 45 points, seven points adrift of leaders Ulinzi, the brewers have to win today’s fixture to have any hopes of a dramatic finish to the league, but a loss or a draw will guarantee a two-horse race between second-placed Gor Mahia and Ulinzi, as the league approaches its climax with only four matches remaining.

Coach Nandwa is optimistic Tusker have an outside chance of clinching the title, but has asked his players to improve their sharpness in front of goal, to ensure they win all their remaining four matches, and pray that Ulinzi and Gor lose their fixtures.

Not Easy

"I believe it is not over until it is over, and a win against Mathare United on Friday is very vital for us because anything can happen for the top two teams in the next four matches.

"But we just have to score goals, we create a lot of chances, but my strikers can’t find the back of the net and it is not easy to win the league without goals," said Nandwa.

Nandwa is set to start, with Augustine Etemesi in attack for the first time this season, after recovering from a lengthy knee injury suffered in pre-season. This will be the first match for Etemesi, but the coach is confident he would solve his scoring problems.

The brewers’ main striker, Dennis Mukaisi, is yet to find the back of the net since joining the Ruaraka team from AFC Leopards in December, and his love affair with the tactician seems to have reached a halt, as Nandwa vowed to replace him with Etemesi in today’s nerve-wrecking match.

Mathare think a win against Tusker is always special are confident of improving on their 1-1 first leg draw, to humble the brewers.