Rangers coach Akwana faces Herculian task

By Gilbert Wandera

After being bundled out of continental football, Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker are left with two titles to chase for.

The KPL still remains within site for the brewers and adding the top eight trophy in their cabinet should be an added advantage.

Rangers coach Ezekiel Akwana during a past KPL match. [Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard]

Tusker begin their chase for the top eight title today against Rangers at Nyayo Stadium in a match that kicks off at 7pm.

A win over Rangers will be an important statement for the brewers of their ambitions to do well this season. Last year, they were eliminated in the first round of the competition.

Coach Sammy Omollo says he is not thinking of winning the trophy, but rather improving on their performance last season.

"Last year, we lost out in the first round. Going past this stage will be an improvement for us and that is what we are concentrating on now," said Omollo.

Tusker go into today’s fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Ulinzi Stars on Sunday at Afraha Stadium.

Tusker’s midfielder Chrispine Olando, who was one of the finest last season, is back in the team after a long lay-off.

Olando was impressive against Ulinzi on Sunday. Paul Were is expected to damage Rangers on the left-flank where he set up two-goal hero Keneth Wendo to score his second goal against Ulinzi.

Going into today’s match just two days after dispatching Ulinzi may have a toll on the brewers, but this should be cancelled out by the fact that Rangers, too, were away at the weekend and are just back in Nairobi after a barren draw against Muhoroni Youth.

Rangers, under Ezekiel Akwana, could not have hoped for a bigger opposition than Tusker, but they have the kind of players who can feature well at this level. Influential defender Pascal Ochieng’ is back in top form after recovering from injury and will be an anchor in defence with Edward Kauka leading the goal hunt upfront.