Zico: The title is nigh, we have to accelerate for it

With only three matches to the culmination of the Kenyan Premier League this season, the battle for the title has mathematically narrowed down to two teams, Tusker FC and KCB.

For the keen followers of the league, the two are not always the contestants at such a point of the season, particularly KCB who for many seasons have struggled to improve on their mid-table performances.

The two have 58 points from 28 matches with the Ruaraka brewers only boasting of a better goal difference (+23 compared to KCB’s +19).

Thus, the last three matches will be a do or die for both sides, as Tusker chases their 12th title and KCB their maiden one.

With the perennial contenders Gor Mahia already out of equation, and the Champions League ticket already dished to Tusker, KCB head coach Zedikiah ‘Zico’ Otieno is under no pressure having attained his season target.

However, the former Harambee Stars coach can see, and even smell the title, hence promising to give the best shot he can to clinch it.

Growing confidence

“We have had a very good season so far. It is now certain the lowest we can finish the season is position two as the third ranked team cannot catch up with us. We have only one thing remaining to fight for, the title, and the good thing is that we enter into the last three matches on equal points with Tusker,” the former Kenyan international said after seeing the bankers settle for a barren draw with Gor Mahia on Sunday.

“We are already in the homestretch, we can see the last bend and we will give our best to challenge for tittle. Each of the remaining matches will be like a final to us,” he added.

Although KCB were unable to keep their two-point lead following the 0-0 draw as their rivals sunk Sofapaka FC 1-2, Zico went home head high for the gallant fight his charges exhibited at the Thika Stadium.

“We dominated the match, hit the post and lost two clear chances to score. As a coach you feel disappointed when you play well but you don’t get all the points. However, Gor Mahia are a big team and getting a result from them is a reason to smile about. In fact, you could see Gor had given up at least 10 minutes to go and were only playing defensively. It is a clear indicator we have really grown as club,” said the experienced coach.

KCB striker Derrick Otanga last week after being crowned the Player of the Month for June sad they are fully focused on the title.

“We don’t want to think of what they are (Tusker) doing. We only want to concentrate on our matches, then we see what happens at the end,” the forward offered, underlining the growing confidence in the banker’s camp.

On their side, Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano is keen to justify they deserved the Champions League ticket given on June 30 by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

“We had slipped but we are firmly in the race. It’s going to be an interesting race because both teams have realistic chances,” he noted.

Both Tusker and KCB will be in action on Friday in the round 32 of the league, the Matano coached side taking on Kakamega Homeboyz with bottom placed Vihiga United playing hosts to the bankers.