Okere tells Tusker to be ruthless as FKF-PL title race hots up

The Brewers face KCB on Sunday from 4pm aiming to claim maximum points and will reclaim top spot if leaders Police FC falter against Sofapaka from 1pm in the double header at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Tusker are second in the league standings on 36 points, level on points with Police who boast a superior goal difference.

Okere says there is no room for error and they must remain near-perfect if they are to realize their title ambitions at the end of the season.

“Each and every game we have a plan and if it’s executed well, it will give the positive results that we are looking for in the remaining matches. In the second leg now, this is a marathon and there is no easy game.

“Every game for Tusker is like a final and we cannot be in our comfort zone. We are here to work and get the best results in every game,” said Okere.

The Brewers are on a roll following three wins in a row, with their last defeat stretching back to January 11 when they suffered a 2-1 loss to Shabana FC.

In their last outing, they disarmed Ulinzi Stars with a 1-0 win last Saturday.

“When we got into the dressing room during the interval, I just said one word to the boys. I told them ‘You know what to do’ and I went back to the dugout. This is because through the week we had worked on the strategy that I wanted us to approach the game with. When the boys executed the plan, it paid off,” he recounted.

“The first half was a bit scrappy and we seemed like we were getting out of our strategy. They [Ulinzi Stars] created numerous scoring chances and we were lucky at some point, but we came back stronger and scored from a set piece, something that we had worked on.”

To strengthen their bid for a 14th league title, Tusker have bolstered their squad by signing Ugandan midfielder Dennis Iguma from Kampala Police FC.

Iguma, 31, capped 64 times for the Uganda Cranes, joins the Brewers on a one-year deal and is expected to strengthen an already-conquering midfield.

Iguma, known for his versatility, has played for SC Villa, Victoria University, and KCCA in Uganda, as well as Al Ahed SC and Shaaban Baalbeck in Lebanon. He also had a stint with Kuwait’s Kazma FC.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia take on relegation-threatened Posta Rangers on Saturday at Dandora, as the champions aim to reignite their title charge while Jackline Juma-led FC Talanta will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways when they host Mathare United at Kenyatta Stadium.

Kakamega Homeboyz, who were buoyed by a 0-0 draw against Gor Mahia last weekend, will host Mara Sugar who lost 1-0 at home against Police.

On Sunday, Nairobi City Stars will be at home against sixth-placed AFC Leopards at Dandora Stadium while Bandari eye second win on the bounce against Murang’a SEAL at St. Sebastian Park.

Revitalised Shabana have their sights firmly set on joining the top four bracket with strugglers Kariobangi Sharks lying in wait for the tie to be held at Gusii Stadium.