League leaders Tusker will be hoping for a first win in three when they take on Wazito FC in a FKF Premier League match scheduled for the Utalii Grounds on Friday afternoon.
A 0-0 draw against second placed KCB meant that the Brewers dropped two vital points and remained winless in their last two fixtures.
With the likes of KCB, Kariobangi Sharks and AFC Leopards hot on Tusker’s heels, Robert Matano’s charges know that any slips will grant the chasing pack a huge advantage.
Defender Rodgers Aloro has urged the team to be more clinical in front of goal to ensure the team bounces back to winning ways and maintains the lead on top of the log.
“We didn’t take the draw so well because we needed to win. But all in all we are thankful for the point because at least it took us somewhere. We can pick up from the draw and look to ensure we do better in the next match.”
Forward Boniface Muchiri however says the pressure that comes with being on top of the table will make the team better heading into the upcoming fixtures.
“In the last game, it was unfortunate we didn’t get the results we wanted. We had hoped to stretch the gap between us and the other teams but all in all, we are thankful for the point. We have sat down as a team and talked about what we need to do. We have prepared ourselves well because we have to do more against Wazito,”
“Pressure is always there as long as you are leading the table. But, it will make us work extra hard because we know the only way to reduce that pressure is to win and increase the gap between us and the other teams,”
“We have trained well this week and we are motivated. We believe we are in good shape to get maximum points. We had stayed out for a long time and the fitness is slowly kicking in. I believe we will be an improved team against Wazito.”
When the two teams met in February, Jackson Macharia came off the bench to score a last gasp winner that made the difference, things have not been the same again for Francis Kimanzi’s team and the hosts know that the task ahead is not easy.
Kimanzi, formerly of Tusker, admits that the dimensions have changed since and it will require a completely different mindset to get a positive result against the 11-time Kenyan champions.
“First we have to look at the scenario because before that match we had a different team, a team that was well prepared, well motivated and at least we had a good run of the matches,” Kimanzi said in his pre-match press conference.
“More important, we were ready and to be ready means that you’re well prepared and that is why we were disappointed with the result(first leg results) when it happened because we believe we had done everything.”
“We can count on luck (Tusker winning) on that day because we were the best, but to be the best you have to prepare.”
“The feeling is completely different. You cannot compare anything close to what we had that time because you’re talking about the mindset of the players, the long break. To be honest if you have inadequate preparations to be honest expect to have nothing but a struggle,” he said.
With champions Gor Mahia winning the last two recent fixtures – 1-0 against Nairobi City Stars and 2-1 against Sofapaka on Thursday – the pressure is already piling up on the Brewers to make sure they win their matches if they are to win the title this campaign. For Wazito they will have to dig deep to upset the Brewers.