Tusker FC will take on Shabana FC in a rescheduled matchday 21 fixture at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday afternoon, as the team looks to move top of the FKF Premier League standings.
The match was initially scheduled to be played last Thursday.
It is the second leg meeting between these two sides, with the first leg having been played at the Gusii Stadium, Kisii, where Shabana won 2-1. This will be the fourth top flight between these two sides. Last season, Shabana won the first leg, played at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, 1-0. Tusker however clinched victory in the second leg played in Homabay, with a comfortable 4-0 score.
A win for Tusker in Machakos will lift the boys top of the Premier League standings. The team is currently placed second in the standings with 39 points, two behind leaders Kenya Police FC who have played a match more.
Team news:
The team has been boosted with the return of central defender Mike Kibwage from injury. Kibwage has been away since the start of the year due to a groin problem. His last appearance was against Shabana, but was an unused substitute.
The only absentee for Wednesday’s game will be winger Thomas Omole who is still recovering from an ankle hairline fracture.
The team has also recently signed wingers Ian Simiyu (Nzoia Sugar) and Luke Namanda (AFC Leopards). Both are available for selection for the trip to Machakos.
Coach’s comments:
Assistant coach George Maina gave his thoughts ahead of the match, and says it will be a crucial fixture.
“We are definitely motivated because always as Tusker FC, we want to be at the top. This is a crucial game for us and the players understand this. We have prepared well and ready to face the fixture,” said the tactician.
On what the team has worked to improve on since the last league fixture:
“We have worked a lot on our finishing. We did not score in our last three league matches and the good thing is during the weekend Cup match in Kisii, we scored twice and had many more chances. This is something that has given us confidence and we have worked now to ensure that we finish as many of those as possible.”
Opponents watch:
Shabana FC, coached by Peter Okidi and assisted by Bernard Mwalala are currently placed ninth in the FKF Premier League standings. Over the last five matches, they have only won once, away to Sofapaka FC. They have drawn three, and suffered defeat against Posta Rangers in their last visit to Machakos.
They have 29 points, off seven wins, eight draws and six defeats. They have an almost balanced goals ratio, having scored 19 and conceded 18.
Shabana is home to Tusker Youth’s former striker Dennis Okoth who joined them at the start of the season. He scored the leveler in the first leg in Kisii.
Ticketing information
Tickets for the 3pm kick off will be retailed at Sh200 for the terraces and Sh500 for the VIP Dias. The tickets will be sold outside Naivas Supermarkets, Machakos, as well as Muslim Primary School, right opposite the Kenyatta Stadium entrance.
They will start selling at 11am.
