Continental ticket at stake as Tusker face Homeboyz in Cup final

Tusker midfielder Shami Mwinyi (right) and Vihiga Bullets' Peter Halwage during their FKF Premier League match at Mumias Sports Complex last Sunday. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The sole ticket to play in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup will be up for grabs today at Kasarani Stadium when dethroned FKF Premier League champions Tusker face off against Kakamega Homeboyz in the FKF Cup finals.

Tusker missed out on the chance to play in the Champions League after relinquishing their title to record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia last weekend.

K’Ogalo won a record extending 20th Premier League title to book a spot in the top tier continental showpiece and now for Tusker to join Gor on the plane to play in CAF competitions, they must defeat an unpredictable Homeboyz side.

Despite last weekend's disappointment, Tusker tactician Robert Matano believes they have a chance to redeem their image against Homeboyz.

Matano said they just have to play better than they did when they saw off Vihiga Bullets 4-0 in the season finale last week.

“This is our chance to redeem our image. The FKF Cup final is in our hands and it will not be determined by points but a win. I believe in the squad we have now it is a matter of redeeming ourselves,” said Matano.

In the head-to-head record, Tusker has won 13 times out of the total 17 meetings including home and away in the just concluded 2022-2023 season and Matano will be hoping history repeats itself.

“The players are ready mentally. Every match is a final for us and nothing changes today. We want to finish the season well. Despite the disappointments of losing the Premier League, we are ready. It won’t be easy and we will win this hard game,” said Matano.

Homeboyz coach Patrick Odhiambo said they are upbeat despite some slight injuries as they work on rooting out their inconsistency problem.

“We are well prepared for the final. We have had a lot of preparations towards the finals including team building and bonding as we prepare psychologically," said Odhiambo. 

“We have blown hot and cold in the season but now we have to calm down and take on Tusker with courage and determination.

“The final is very important not only to us but also the club and fans. It will be the club's first ever cup and many players will be privileged to lift their maiden gong. We call upon our fans to show up in numbers like they have done throughout the campaign. We need this trophy."

The winner of the competition will walk away with Sh2 million and a ticket to play in the second tier CAF tourney next season.

AFC Leopards will clash with Ulinzi Stars in a third place playoff match at the same venue.