Tusker, Gor shift focus to local league

Tusker FC celebrating their win against Gor Mahia during FKF Super Cup curtain raiser match for the 2021/22 season at The Thika Stadium. Sept 22, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

FKF Premier League champions Tusker will be seeking to bounce back from their opening match defeat against AFC Leopards when they host newbies Talanta at Ruaraka Grounds today.

And even as they try to shift their attention from the continental showpiece where they lost 4-0 (5-0 on aggregate) to Egyptian giants Zamalek over the weekend, Tusker coach Robert Matano has demanded a quick response from his players.

“We started the new season well in the Champions League but the injuries affected our performance in the FKF Premier League. But we are now back and ready for the second game,” said Matano.

“Our goal remains to defend the league and the journey officially starts today against Talanta. We will not underestimate them as we have to take our chances to be able to come out with maximum points.”

Talanta won their first game of the season last weekend when they saw off Vihiga Bullets 2-0.

Elsewhere, Kariobangi Sharks will clash with record FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia in an early kick off (1pm) match at Kasarani Stadium today.

K’Ogalo also returns to the local scene after advancing to the final preliminary round of the Confederation Cup. Gor Mahia were handed a walkover on on Sunday after their opponents Al Ahly Merowe of Sudan withdrew from the competition. 

Gor Mahia had beaten the Sudanese side 3-1 in the first leg encounter played at the New Suez Canal, Egypt on October 15.

The Green Army will be looking to make it three wins out of three matches after a 2-1 win against KCB in their first game of the season and a 1-0 triumph in the Mashemeji Derby against arch-rivals AFC Leopards last Wednesday.

Gor Mahia’s British coach Mark Harrison revealed over the weekend that his team’s objective this season is to win both the domestic league and Confederation Cup. [Washington Onyango]

Today’s FKF PL Fixtures

Kariobangi Sharks v Gor Mahia-Kasarani, 1pm (Live on BTV/StarTimes)

Tusker v FC Talanta-Ruaraka, 3pm