Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League defending champions Tusker may have taken a healthy five-point lead in the 2022/23 season but the team’s coach Robert Matano has urged his charges to exercise caution.

“We may appear to be on a roll since the league began but don’t make any mistake. We’re not entitled to win every match and this is why I have urged my players to keep on working hard,” said Matano.

Tusker, a marvel to watch since the campaign got underway, picked up their fourth consecutive win at the weekend after blitzing Bidco United 1-0 in Thika, but Matano insisted it is still premature to celebrate.

“We have been playing against very good teams but somehow managed to conjure up good results. The league is still at its infancy stage and I envisage it to be a marathon and for this reason, we have to remain focused,” he noted.

Tusker, who are chasing a domestic treble, needed Clyde Senaji’s 16th-minute strike to silence Bidco at Thika Stadium, the same setting in which Gor Mahia humbled the hosts 2-1 ten days earlier.

Jamhuri Day gift

If this was an ideal Jamhuri Day gift Tusker gave their fans, it was heartbreak for Bidco United who were looking for a turn-around after losing 2-1 to Gor Mahia at the same venue.

Following the result, Bidco remained in the 11th position in the chart with three points from a similar number of matches and will have to work hard in their next fixture at least to be in the top five slots.

During a weekend marked by seven matches, the shocking result was Nzoia beating KCB 2-1 in Kasarani with the former’s new acquisition from Vihiga Bullets central attacking midfielder Boniface Munyendo emerging the hero with a superb brace.

In the meantime, AFC Leopards who made a dream start by vanquishing Ulinzi came near yet so far to pulling their second win of the season after being held by Sofapaka to a 1-1 draw.

Washington Munene struck from the spot to give Ingwe the opener before the big cats went to sleep thus giving leeway for Congolese Ronnie Manga to drill the equalizer for Sofapaka with only five minutes left on the clock.

The results mean Leopards occupy the ninth position with four points from three matches while Sofapaka remains glued to the 13th spot with two points from the same number of matches.