Tusker FC will be looking to settle scores when they face AFC Leopards at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday from 4 PM EAT.
The Brewers suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the first leg against the Ingwe, one of their heaviest losses in the SportPesa League this season.
Samuel Ssenyonjo netted a hat-trick while Ronald Sichenje added the other goal, leaving Tusker searching for answers.
However, Tusker arrive at this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz, aiming for a third consecutive league victory.
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The team has shown a steady improvement under new head coach Julien Mette, who was not in charge during the first-leg debacle against AFC Leopards. With the Brewers sitting 7th on the table with 37 points, Mette is determined to use the previous defeat as motivation.
“It is in the past, but for sure it remains in your mind for the players that played the first leg and conceded 4-0. As I told them, it is a humiliation and a shame, so they have to play with that feeling of revenge. Even if in normal life revenge is not that good, as a competitor you need to have that pride that it’s not acceptable to lose 4-0, so they have to take their revenge,” said Mette.
The coach added that the team has undergone tactical adjustments and is playing with a new system, giving them fresh confidence heading into the match.
“It is a new team with new instructions, a new way to play, with a new shape and system. So even if it is 80% of the same players, AFC Leopards will be in trouble if they expect the same team as in the first leg,” Mette added.
AFC Leopards, currently second on the league table with 46 points, are chasing league leaders Gor Mahia, who yesterday opened a 10-point gap with a 2-1 win over Shabana FC.
Coach Fred Ambani’s side comes into the match having bounced back with a midweek win against Nairobi United, though they were humbled 4-1 by Mathare United in their previous outing.Coach Ambani is still confident that his charges are still in the title race.
“The league ends on the last day. The most important thing is to collect your points because you don’t know what’s ahead; something might happen, and you are back into contention,” Ambani said.
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Despite a number of key players through injury, Ambani remains optimistic about his team’s chances. Meanwhile, Tusker will rely on their growing confidence and momentum to turn the tables.
“We have prepared regarding the game. Regarding the way AFC Leopards play, it will be more of a moral game, a mental game, and not much of a tactical or technical game because they have a lot of pressure on their shoulders. They have a lot of fans expecting titles, and they are very close to finishing the season with zero titles, which is a lot of pressure on our opponents, and not the case on our side,” said Mette.
As the two sides prepare for this high-stakes clash, Tusker will aim to redeem themselves and climb the table, while AFC Leopards look to maintain pressure on Gor Mahia in the title race.
The match will be live on Azam Sports HD 3.