The lion under pressure

Robert Matano [Standard]

Tusker coach Robert ‘The Lion’ Matano has admitted that pressure is mounting following a series of poor results.

The Brewers dropped to the sixth spot in the Sportpesa Premier League table, seven points adrift leaders Bandari after AFC Leopards condemned them to a 2-1 defeat in Machakos on Saturday.

This was the 11-time Kenyan league champions’ fourth loss in a row after identical 1-0 defeats to Gor Mahia, Kakamega Homeboyz and Nzoia Sugar respectively.

While Leopards continued with their resurgence to move further away from the danger zone, Bandari’s six-game unbeaten run came to a halt in Nakuru after falling 2-1 to Ulinzi Stars, thus spurning a chance to open a four-point gap at the top.

Third-placed Sofapaka narrowed the gap with Bandari to two points after trouncing their hosts Chemelil Sugar 2-0 as Mathare United squandered the opportunity to go back at the summit after being held to a barren draw by visiting Western Stima.

But it is Matano, a two-time Kenyan Premier League title-winning coach, whose future as Tusker boss is under scrutiny after defeat to 14th placed Ingwe.

“Of course everybody is under pressure here because we can’t lose four matches in a row and be comfortable. We need to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do in the next match. We must all take responsibility for these results,” Matano told The Standard Sports.

He said his team had paid the price for failing to take their chances as well as capitalising on their numerical advantage against Leopards after Isaac Kipyegon was sent off at halftime. 

Amini Muzerwa’s late goal couldn’t rescue Matano’s boys after Wayi Yeka and Vincent Oburu had put Leopards firmly in the driving seat.

“Loss of concentration cost us dearly against AFC Leopards. We don’t have consistency in the team because of injuries. Over five players have been sidelined with injuries. I think when they come back we will get good results.

“We had chances which didn’t make good use off and even after they were reduced to 10 men we didn’t capitalise on that. It’s difficult to explain why we are struggling.”