Tusker FC look to regain momentum with crucial win over Kakamega Homeboyz
After losing their matchday two fixture, Tusker FC will return to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League action, seeking to make amends against a struggling Kakamega Homeboyz side at Machakos Stadium on Sunday.
The Brewers’ fixture is among the seven matches lined up across the country tomorrow and Sunday, with only the matches involving Gor Mahia and Kenya Police postponed.
K’Ogalo, the defending champions, face a tall order in Cairo where they are scheduled to play Egyptian champions Al Ahly in the return leg of their Caf Champions League fixture tomorrow.
Gor Mahia lost the first leg 3-0 in Nairobi.
Meanwhile, Police will be in Cairo to take on defending champions Zamalek in the Confederation Cup today having lost the first leg 1-0 at Nyayo Stadium.
Back to the local scene, four matches will be played tomorrow, with AFC Leopards, who suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Posta Rangers last time out, seeking to bounce back against Bidco United. Rangers will confront KCB and Mathare United will host winless Sofapaka.
On Sunday, Tusker stand-in coach Charles Okere has demanded an immediate response from his players after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Kariobangi Sharks in their last match. “We must show our abilities by bouncing back against Homeboyz. We lost to Sharks, but I don’t think we deserved to lose the game. We were undone because of our own mistakes, so I have asked my players to respond with a good game against Homeboyz,” Okere told People Sport.
The Brewers, who finished second behind Gor Mahia last season, will face a Homeboyz side that is yet to win or score a goal in their last two matches this season.
Homeboyz, under Ken Kenyatta, kicked off their season with a 3-0 thrashing by promoted side Mara Sugar before drawing 0-0 against another promoted outfit, Mathare United.
Last season, Tusker and Homeboyz met three times, with Homeboyz winning twice while Tusker won once. The first meeting was in the league, where Homeboyz won 2-1. They met again in the domestic FKF Cup, where Homeboyz triumphed 1-0. However, Tusker made amends by winning the reverse fixture of the league 1-0.
In the 2023 campaign, Tusker won both league matches – 2-1 and 1-0 – but Homeboyz defeated the Brewers 1-0 in the final of the FKF Cup to earn a ticket to play in the Confederation Cup.
In other matches set for Sunday, Ulinzi Stars will host Shabana FC, with the Soldiers smarting from their opening 1-0 defeat against Murang’a Seal, while Tore Bobe started off with a 1-1 draw against Bidco United.