NAIROBI, July 19 – Kenya Premier League champions Tusker take on Somalia’s Benedir in a must win match in the ongoing East and Central (Cecafa) Club Championships in Tanzania on Sunday.
Tusker who their opening match against Simba 3-2 but the suffered a shock 3-1 loss to Vital’O, must win to ensure progress to the last eight.
All four teams in group A are tied on three points after playing two matches each and only three of them will progress to the quarter finals.
Simba lead the table on a better goals aggregate, thanks to their 5-0 win over Benedir in their opening match. That big loss has pushed the Somali side to the foot of the table but they beat Vital’O 2-1 in their second match and are capable of causing another upset.
Vital’O recovered well to beat Tusker 3-1 to take second place while the Kenyans are in third place, thanks to their opening win over Simba though things have not gone as well since.
Tusker start favourites against Benedir, who by coincidence are buoyed by several players recently recruited in Kenya. It is these Kenyans who have been more visible in the Somalia side.
Goalkeeper Dick Otieno has established himself despite the huge deficit against Simba. He is the man Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee’s boys will need to beat to avoid the dreaded fourth position that will see them cut short their sojourn here.
The Nairobi brewers will therefore, need to be at their best against Benadir.
Mulee has some great players in Osborne Monday, Joseph Shikokoti, John Njoroge, and Kenneth Wendo but will need them to be at their best if they are to make sure of progress.
Goalkeeper Joseph Ruto may be back in goal after Wednesday’s horror show while upfront John Keo, Justus Anene and Osacar Kadenge have to rediscover their goal scoring form for the brewers.
The Simba v Vital’O match is a real cracker considering that the ‘Msimbazi boys’ will be out to prove to their fans that they have the ability to go all the way in this tournament.
Vital’O are a very technical side and this is a factor that Simba will need to content with.
Simba will be without influential Ulimboka Mwakingwe who has two yellow cards but have Mussa Hassan ‘Mgosi’ to spearhead their attack.
Their Nigerian import Obiwna Orji is out injured meaning his compatriot Emeh Izikchukwu may have a chance to start.
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