Slum Boys hoping to sip Tusker at Kasarani

Mathare United FC's Daniel Otieno (left) and Bandari FC's Collins Agade during an FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, Jan 22, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Mathare United captain Chrispinus Oduor says his side is determined to end Tusker’s unbeaten streak in tomorrow’s FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Stadium.

Mathare are second from the bottom after a poor start to the season that has seen them garner a paltry four points from their opening five fixtures.

And Tusker, by stark contrast, are currently one point shy of league leaders KCB (21 points) with an eight-game unbeaten run.

But the highlight of round ten will be today’s match between Ulinzi Stars and KCB in Nakuru and tomorrow’s tie in Mombasa pitting Bandari against record champions Gor Mahia. Joint second-placed AFC Leopards also host Posta Rangers at Kasarani Stadium today.

While the Slum boys will be seeking to inflict a second defeat of the campaign on the brewers, who have not tasted defeat since losing 2-1 to AFC Leopards in the first match of the campaign in November last year, Robert Matano’s men will be out to assert their authority in the league and continue putting pressure on leaders KCB.

Mathare United FC's Chrispin Oduor (left) and Darius Mnyambo of Bandari FC on Friday, Jan 22, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Oduor, however, claims that they are motivated by the recent history against Tusker and the familiarity between the two sides.

The 2008 league champions have not lost a single match against Tusker in their last five meetings (two wins, 2-1, 1-0 and three draws, 1-1,1-1, 2-2).

And with the likes of David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng, David Okello, Danson Kago, Cercidy Okeyo and assistant coach Leonard Odipo having previously played and handled Tusker, Oduor hopes their experience at Ruaraka can help them turn around their season. 

“The fact that Tusker are enjoying an eight-game unbeaten streak is good motivation for us to win the game. Even our plan on the road against Ulinzi Stars was to win, but we fell short and we have now shifted our focus to Sunday’s match,” Oduor said.

“Of course Tusker is always a tough opponent for us but the encouraging thing is that we have managed to rise up to the occasion in most of those matches. With that in mind, it gives a boost that we can win the game if we play well. So, we are not worried about that.

He continued: “The other advantage is that we have a couple of players who have featured for Tusker in the past.”