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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Tusker upbeat as Gor Mahia head to Maputo

Pulse

By The Standard Sports | Feb 17, 2012

By GILBERT WANDERA

Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob Mulee believes Tuskerfs good record in away matches will be key in their CAF Champions League campaign, which begins this weekend against APR of Rwanda.

Mulee, who has handled Tusker and APR of Rwanda, said the brewers have always done well

Mr Seni Adetu Group Managing Director East African Breweries Ltd with Tusker FC coach Sammy Omollo. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

away from home and this should count in their first round champions league match.

"Tusker have always been good away in most competitions, including on the local scene. If you look at their performance last season in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), they won most of their away matches to help them clinch the league title.

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"This means that they must avoid a loss against APR on Saturday and then hope to do well in the return match away in Kigali," said Mulee.

However, Mulee warned Tusker not to underrate their opponents and admitted the fact brewers have just started their league assignment may work against them.

"APR is in a competition mode. Tusker have just begun the league and will be striving to pick up the pieces after winning DSTV/Super Cup match and KPL match against City Stars," he said.

Mulee said the Rwandese look serious if you consider their investment in the team. This is likely to give Tusker a tough time.

"The fact that they have three Brazilians in the team shows you that they are serious and are willing to do anything to go all the way in the competition. So in terms of investments, APR look more serious," he said.

Mulee handled Tusker when the team was narrowly eliminated from the Champions League by Esperance of Tunisia in 2004. After leaving Tusker he joined APR for one season before rejoining the brewers in 2006.

Tusker in the meantime are scheduled to complete their training in Limuru today hours before their grand match against APR. The brewers arrive in Nairobi tomorrow morning ready to do battle against the soldiers.

APR were expected in Nairobi last night. The Rwandese won in Nairobi the last time after hitting Gor Mahia 5-0 at Nyayo Stadium.They will be hoping this can inspire them

The Rwandese side are perennial participants at the continental level after having won the Rwandan league a record 17 times.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia received a befitting send off from Prime Minister Raila Odinga ahead of their trip to Mozambique where they will be playing against Ferroviario de Maputo tomorrow.

Raila gave the team Sh500, 000 and promised them another Sh1 million if they win their first leg encounter in Maputo.

He lauded the teamfs improved quality in recent years and tipped them to stop the Mozambicans in the two-legged preliminary.

"I was embarrassed when I watched Gor lose 5-0 to Rwandafs APR in 2009," said Raila.