Why Tusker can't afford to stumble
Football
By
Washington Onyango
| May 30, 2023
Since 2013, one club, Gor Mahia, had been dominating the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.
It did not matter whether they started the league on a bad form, or fired coaches mid season, nobody dared to stop or challenge the mighty K'Ogalo.
Theirs was a well-timed campaign. They knew when and how to strike; with precision and enviable fashion too.
Over those years, they would easily overtake the early runner-ups to win the Premier League for a record seven-times in eight years.
However, since 2021, the league has proved a hard nut to crack for the record Kenyan champions.
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Tusker have been on top of the table since dethroning Gor two years ago and despite being stripped of their hard-fought title last season due to management politics between FKF Caretaker Committee and reinstated FKF officials, the brewers are still flying high.
In the last decade, the FKF Premier League title (previously Kenyan Premier League) has been shared between Tusker and Gor Mahia with the brewers winning it four times (2011, 20212, 2016 and 2021) compared to Gor's seven.
This year, many football fans expected the potential title winner to be decided last Sunday when defending champions Tusker played Gor Mahia at Nyayo Stadium.
Separated by a point before the top of the table clash, the winner of the match would have been guaranteed three vital points, but that was not the case after they played to a barren 0-0 draw, leaving the title race wide open.
Tusker, who still enjoy a one-point advantage over Gor, stand a high chance of retaining the title and maintain their dominance over K'Ogalo.
Leading with 65 points, the brewers need to win their three remaining matches to be crowned the 2022-2023 champions.
The Robert Matano-led side has an edge over Gor, given their relatively easier fixtures compared to their rivals'.
Tusker's three matches are against lowly ranked sides compared to Gor, who face top sides in their remaining matches.
Tusker are going to play the already relegated Vihiga Bullets, relegation-fighting Wazito and Posta Rangers, the only top side, but who are struggling to win games.