NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 18 – FKF Premier League side Mathare United can drag themselves a few yards more off the relegation zone if they earn maximum points on Saturday in their short trip up to Ruaraka to take on defending FKF Premier League champions Tusker FC.
The Slum Boys won back to back matches for the first time this season in midweek when they beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 at the Kasarani Annex and it is from this momentum that they look to stagger to Tusker’s backyard and earn another three points.
Stand-in coach Sammy Koko says they expect a tough duel against the reigning champions who have not had a great start to the year.
“We are going to their backyard and we expect a very tough match. But for us, we are looking at our own momentum and how we have been performing and once again we will step there and give our best to come off with three points,” said Koko.
Compared to Tusker, Mathare will have a tougher task for rest and recovery as they had a midweek game while Tusker have had 10 days between their last fixture and Saturday afternoon’s duel.
Koko says they have worked with the team’s medical staff for the best rest and recovery to ensure they are fresh for the duel.
Meanwhile, looking back at Wednesday’s win, the coach was pleased with the resilience and fighting spirit of the team.
“I am really pleased with the work rate shown by the players. Everyone wants to fight more and everyone is dedicated to see us win. What has been different is hat as the technical team we are trusting all players,” said Koko.
He added; “We have also been rorating quite a bit because we noticed that there had been fatigue cropping up.”
Mathare started the season later than everyone else due to the tussle over their relegation at the Sports Tribunal and Koko says it has come to hunt them as they didn’t even have a team when the season started.
They had to quickly assemble after the resolution of the case and the first few matches were like pre-season for them.
But now, the coach says they have picked momentum.
In 27 meetings between Tusker and Mathare, the Slum Boys have only won six and lost 10. They have lost three of their last four meetings with Tusker and the last time they tasted victory against the alemen was in January 2019 when they won 2-1.
