Tusker’s favourbale run-in, Gor Mahia with tough test: The games that will decide title destiny

FKFPL Tusker’s favourbale run-in, Gor Mahia with tough test: The games that will decide title destiny

Joel Omotto 10:20 - 29.05.2023

The brewers and K’Ogalo could not be separated on Sunday, leaving them with little margin for error heading into the final three matches

Tusker FC and Gor Mahia could not capitalise of their ‘title decider’ on Sunday as they played out a barren draw, leaving the race same as it had been before the two teams’ meeting.

In a game that both teams employed a cautious approach, none of them could get the goal that would have secured all three points, leaving Tusker with their one-point advantage with three games remaining.

Robert Matano’s men are top of the table on 65 points, one ahead of K’Ogalo, and it is now down to who will blink first in the remaining three matches.

The run-in seems to favour Tusker, at least on paper, as they have relegation-bound Wazito FC, Posta Rangers and Vihiga Bullets, who have already kissed the top flight goodbye, while Gor have tough tasks that pit them against Kakamega Homeboyz and Ulinzi Stars, who are angling for a top five finish, as well as Nairobi City Stars.

Matano’s men also have a better run of form as they have won three while drawing two of their last five while Gor have won just two over that period, drawing two while losing one.

What will be more worrying for Johnathan McKinstry is that the seven points his team has dropped during that run have come in their last three games which could affect the confidence of his players.

A draw against relegation-fighting Wazito and a loss to struggling AFC Leopards have left the 19-time champions playing catch up and on current form, it is not known if they can get maximum points from giantkillers Homeboyz or Ulinzi.

However, for them to reclaim the title they last won in 2020, they have to get all nine points available while hoping that the brewers will fail to win at least one game.

Matano’s men, therefore, hold all the aces and it will be interesting to see if they can win where Gor failed as they head to the hostile Muhoroni this weekend for a clash against Wazito.

Meanwhile, Nzoia Sugar’s slim hopes of winning the title received a blow following their 1-0 loss to Kariobangi Sharks, bringing an end to their unbeaten home record.

Defeat leaves Nzoia third on 60 points, five points behind Tusker and four adrift of Gor, and while it is still possible to crash the title party, it will take a massive drop off from the leading two for them to close in.

Salim Babu’s men will now have to start looking over their shoulders as fourth and fifth-placed Kenya Police and KCB are just three points behind.