Now do your part, Ze Maria urges AFC Leopards

Gor Mahia head coach Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Ferrera has once again urged eternal rivals AFC Leopards to turn over Kenyan Premier League (KPL) leaders Tusker FC in Nakuru on Sunday to take the title chase to the final day of the season next weekend.

Ze Maria was left purring after his charges beat Muhoroni Youth 2-0 on Saturday to cut the gap at the top of the log to a single point from the Brewers who are on 55 in their penultimate game of the season.

For Gor the handsome victory had the added pleasure of knocking the losers out of next season’s KPL Top 8 tournament- ice cold revenge after Muhoroni denied them the trophy after stunning them in the final.

The win over the side that denied them a second Top 8 title will ring hollow should Paul Nkata mastermind victory over Leopards English boss Stewart Hall who make his debut in the Ingwe dugout since Tusker will be crowned 2016 champions.

However, any slip up by the front runners will ensure the league will be decided on the final day when Gor host Tusker.

Speaking to SuperSport after the pulsating encounter in Kisumu, Ze Maria confirmed his eyes will be glued on television from 2:30pm on Sunday when Tusker and Leopards take on to the pitch at Afraha Stadium.

“We did our part, I hope AFC will do the same,” the former Brazilian international quipped when asked his whereabouts on Sunday afternoon.

With reports he had offered to walk away from K’Ogalo when they lost 1-0 to Muhoroni in the KPL Top 8 final, Ze Maria cut a pleased figure as he spoke with the famous Gor anthem ringing emphatically in the background.

Rwandese duo, Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere who were acquired to sink in the goals to fire the champions to a fourth-straight title finally clicked to devastating effect in the first half.

Kagere laid the ninth minute opener for Tuyisenge who returned the favour in the 32nd to settle the keenly contested game in favour of K’Ogalo who chalked their 15th win of the season.

“The game today was good for us. This is modern football and I’m very happy for the guys,” Ze Maria who hailed their quick short passing game that had Muhoroni in knots told.

He blamed the lakeside heat for the drop in intensity in the second half as his gamble to start the match at a canter left Muhoroni reeling and unable to fashion a response in the second stanza.

-Better Tusker-

Perhaps stung by defeat in a game he maintained his side did not deserve to lose, Muhoroni boss, Tom Juma who played both for Gor and Leopards at the peak of his prowess backed Tusker to seal the crown.

“It will be a tough call but I go for Tusker,” he told SuperSport when asked which side he would prefer to be crowned champions.

Juma who took over from John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla and Muhoroni’s third coach of a turbulent season rued the chances missed by his team particularly in the first half when his skipper Francis Ocholla and Benjamin Masha missed when it was easier to score.

“The final delivery was poor today. I agree, at this level you need one chance or half a chance to make a difference. Today (Saturday) we had two or three but we did not convert and that was our undoing,” the former Harambee Stars player charged.

“We played even better than the last one, we had good possession but our last pass was wanting,” he emphasised.

Defeat left his side tenth on 35 points meaning they will not have the chance to defend their Top 8 crown next season since they are four adrift of the final position to qualify for the Ksh1m knock-out tournament with a game to go.