Matano expects tight game against AFC Leopards

With the Mozzart Bet Cup quarterfinals slots sealed for both AFC Leopards and Tusker FC, the two rivals turn against each other in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) round of 22 fixture at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, 5 April 2023.

A resurgent Leopards edged out visiting Bandari FC 1-0, while Tusker FC rallied from 2-0 down to beat Division 1 side Rainbow FC 3-2 to reach the round of four of the country's oldest knockout tournament, the Mozzart Bet Cup.

Back to the FKFPL, a lot will be at stake as the two lock horns for the second time this season. Placed second on the log standings - six points off leaders Gor Mahia, Tusker cannot afford a further slip up in their quest to catch up and successfully defend their title.

"It's going to be a tight match," Tusker FC coach Robert Matano told Mozzart Sport, adding that, "we'll approach the match with a winning mentality, like we do with all our games."

"Our aim is to win all our games and defend the league title. Losing is not in our vocabulary, " a bullish Matano, who has previously coached Leopards and Sofapaka, said.

Understandably, Tusker has an upper hand heading into this encounter. Ingwe's latest victory over the Brewers can be traced way back to September 2021 when they prevailed 1-0, since, they have lost twice, including in the first leg of the 2022-23 season, but Matano is unfazed with history and statistics.

"The past is gone and we're not interested," the 58-year-old, four-time FKFPL winner said. "We approach every game with a fresh focus, and with a different strategy, depending on the opponent, we don't bank on the past."

Third placed Leopards, with just point behind, could pip Tusker to second on the table standings with a win, but they will have to dig deeper into their reserves to get that much needed positive result.

Unable to sign new players in three transfer windows due to a FIFA transfer ban, Ingwe have survived on a thin squad of players mostly drawn from their youth side. Yet, they have managed to complete, but injuries are now creeping in.

In their last league assignment against Posta Rangers, which they won 1-0, the coach Patrick Aussems' outfit survived with just five players on the bench.

"My usual number on goalkeeper out, three players injured, one player suspended, one on National Team duty; only 5 players on the bench because still six players remain unavailable due to FIFA ban. All the remaining players stepped in, and did the job and got us the three points," Aussems revealed.