Are Tusker FC back in the mix for league title?

David Majak (left) of Tusker and Iddi Hassan of Bandari fight for possession last Sunday. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

After a poor start to the 2021-2022 FKF Premier League season, Tusker are finally out of the bottom half table.

Tusker, who are the defending champions, climbed up the standings on Sunday after registering their eighth win of the campaign in their 2-0 victory against hosts Bandari in Mombasa.

David Majak, who returned to Tusker after his loan deal with Swedish topflight side Kalmar FF ended in December, scored his the goal, while midfielder Erick Zakayo was also on target.

The win saw them move up to seventh on 26 points, three points off the top four teams and with a game in hand.

Are Tusker back to challenge for the title after a slow start?

To coach Robert Matano, the league is still wide open and anybody can win it.

Matano said he is impressed with how his players have been playing in recent weeks.

“Has any team been declared the champion of the 2021-2022 season? No! No one knows who the champion will be for now. The season is half way and there is still a lot of work to be done in the remaining 17 matches.”

“We have been playing well in the past four matches, which has lifted us up the table. We are patient and are going to tackle each game at a time and see how the season goes,” said the 2021 Football Coach of the Year.

Elsewhere, new coach John Kamau ended Mathare United’s 12-match winless streak after seeing off Talanta 2-0 on Saturday.

The win saw Mathare United take their points tally to 10 points from 17 points, but they are still second from bottom on the league.

However, Kamau will hope the win is a sign of good things to come as they aim to avoid the drop.

Kakamega Homeboyz failed to extend their lead atop the standings after being held by Nzoia Sugar. Homeboyz are on 34 points, while City Stars have 31. 

Gor Mahia’s German coach Andreas Spier made a winning start by defeating Posta Rnagers 3-1 are joint third with KCB on 30 points.