Tusker battle Gor Mahia in Kericho
What you need to know:
- Kerr has so far led the team in an impressive 10-match unbeaten run since he was appointed in June, opening a nine-point gap atop the table.
- Saturday’s match however presents a litmus test to the English coach who is charged with the responsibility of leading the club to an unprecedented 16th league title.
Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr faces his toughest test yet when he leads his charges against defending champions Tusker in a crunch SportPesa Premier League match Saturday afternoon in Kericho.
Kerr has so far led the team in an impressive 10-match unbeaten run since he was appointed in June, opening a nine-point gap atop the table.
Saturday’s match however presents a litmus test to the English coach who is charged with the responsibility of leading the club to an unprecedented 16th league title.
TOUGH CALL
Tusker managed a double over K’Ogalo last season but this year, Gor has beaten the brewers 1-0 in the KPL Super Cup played in March, and the teams drew 0-0 in their first leg match in April.
Any meeting between the two giants, who share the last six league titles with Gor winning the crown in 2013, 2014 and 2015 while Tusker were winners in 2011, 2012 and last year, has never been short of fireworks.
Unbeaten in their last 10 matches, the 15-time champions are in top form at the moment but their barren draw with relegation battlers Thika United last weekend exposed some of their weaknesses when under pressure.
“There is still about nine games left to play, and we have to get things right. That is why I am focusing on every game, not on our position in the league or even the gap we have,” said Kerr.
“Gor is the team to beat for every club so we prepare for each game using different methods and tactics.”
Having been top of the standing before the midseason break, the brewers watched as their hopes of retaining the title faded with only two wins in nine matches before their recent resurgence that has seen them register three successive victories for the first time since May.
“Games against Gor Mahia are always tough because they have good players. It is a good thing that we have now won a number of matches so the boys are more confident that they were last month,” Tusker coach George Nsimbe said.
“If we defend well and utilise our chances well we can beat them.”
UNBEATEN STREAK
Meanwhile, at the Mumias Sports Complex, Kakamega Homeboyz will face off with second-placed Sofapaka in what is expected to be a closely contested match.
Hosts Homeboyz haven’t lost a game in seven assignments, a run that has seen them rise to fourth on the standings, three points behind Sofapaka.
Batoto ba Mungu, who are gunning for their first league title since 2009, will be seeking to bounce back from their barren draw with Kariobangi Sharks in their last outing.
FIXTURES
Saturday
Posta Rangers v Thika United (Ruaraka Grounds, 2pm)
Mathare United v Ulinzi Stars (Ruaraka Grounds, 4.15pm)
Kakamega Homeboyz v Sofapaka (Mumias Sports Complex, 3pm)
Tusker v Gor Mahia (Kericho Green Stadium, 3pm)
Sunday
Bandari v Chemelil Sugar (Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa, 3pm)
Western Stima v Nakumatt (Moi Stadium, Kisumu, 3pm)
Zoo Kericho v Nzoia Sugar (Kericho Green Stadium, 3pm)
