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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Gor Mahia face Tusker, AFC await KCB in Top 8 semis

Football

By -GILBERT WANDERA | Apr 23, 2014

By GILBERT WANDERA

Gor Mahia’s Solomon Nasio tackles Tusker’s Robert Omunuk in a past KPL match. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Tusker have another opportunity to meet league winners Gor Mahia soon after their temperamental meeting as the two sides were drawn together in the semi-finals of this year’s Top-8 competition.

The other semi-final match will be between AFC Leopards and KCB.

The first leg of the Top 8 matches will be played on May 21 at Nyayo Stadium with the return match set for June 4.

When league champions Gor Mahia played Tusker four weeks ago in their first leg league match, the match ended 1-1, but not before the brewers lost two players who were sent off for rough play.

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Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi said he is excited to meet Gor again and admitted his side is under pressure to retain the trophy.

“When you are a defending champion in a competition, the pressure is always on you to retain the trophy and this is the case with our club.

We want to win the trophy and believe we have the ability to do it,” he said during yesterday’s draw.

Kimanzi said he does not believe focussing on the Cup competition will interfere with his title ambitions.

“The Cup competition gives us more opportunity to compete and give our players playing time. I dont think it interferes in any way with our title chase,” he said.

Gor assistant coach Bob Ogolla said his sides looks forward to the clash against Tusker.

“Tusker are a very good side and they always bring out the best in us. As a result we look forward to playing them anytime,” he said.

AFC Leopards Team Manager Richard Madegwa, who represented Assistant Coach Abdalla Juma, said the former KCB head coach is motivated to play his former side.

“When I was coming for the draw, he indicated to me that he preferred that we play KCB so that people may see the difference,” he said.

Juma was dropped by the bankers two weeks ago following a series of poor results.

On the way to the semi-finals, AFC Leopards edged out Bandari 1-0, while Gor beat Thika United 2-1.

KCB upset Ulinzi Stars 2-1 while Tusker beat Sofapaka 6-5 in post match penalties.