NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 26 – Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano has decried his forward line’s lack of composure and killer instinct as they were held to a barren draw by Ulinzi Stars in an FKF Premier League match at the Kasarani Annex on Wednesday evening.
The brewers were the more dominant side in a drub tie, with the soldiers finishing the game without a single shot on target, but the hosts could not capitalize with a much needed win.
Ulinzi keeper Sylvaine Omondi was the star man for the soldiers, pulling off two great saves to deny Humphrey Mieno and Ibrahim Joshua in the second half.
“It is a point but we didn’t play as we expected. We lost the ball in the final quarter and didn’t compose ourselves. Our strikers were not clinical today and they did not help us much in attack,” a disappointed Matano said after the match.
The tactician has also alluded to fatigue among his players as this was their fifth match in 21 days and rightfully, has given them a day’s off to relax on Thursday before their next match on Saturday against Police FC.
“It is affecting us because these players are also human beings. Fatigue is catching up with us because you can’t do the same thing daily. You also get tired mentally, But, we will fight on until we get to the end,” the tactician added.
Against Ulinzi who were on a fine run of three wins in five matches, Tusker sought for home comfort but couldn’t crack through on goal despite having the best of chances.
The opening half was devoid of clear cut chances with David Majak and Humphrey Mieno having shots from distance going over, while Ulinzi had a freekick from a dangerous area hit the wall.
In the second half, Mieno came close to giving Tusker the lead when he swiveled a volley from the edge of the area but the keeper made a brilliant flying save to keep the scores even.
In the 62nd minute the impressive Sylvaine in the Ulinzi goal made another decisive save, this time pushing Ibrahim Joshua’s header from a Mieno cross against the upright and Majak failing to land a body on the rebound from close range.
The brewers made offensive changes clearing their entire forward line with Majak, Joshua, Zakayo and Luvanda coming off for Jackson Macharia, Eric Otieno, Deogratious Ojok and John Njuguna, but that couldn’t effect the team for goals.
