Tusker’s quest for a league and cup double continues this weekend they face KCB in the GOtv Shield semifinal at Afraha Stadium on Saturday.
The brewers have a four point lead in the premier league race and victory on Saturday will leave them one match away from their first cup triumph since 1993.
Tusker eliminated Posta rangers 2-1, to book a date with the NSL side, while Ulinzi and KCB ousted Nzoia Sugar and Western Stima respectively in the quarter-finals phase.
The 10-time KPL champions, last lifted the domestic cup in 1993, when the team was referred as Kenya Breweries while the tournament was known as President’s Cup.
They have tried in futility in the years, that followed to quench that thirst, but this year, there is a feel-good atmosphere at the Ruaraka based club that their wait for a fourth GOtv Shield title may be over.
“We have the right quality, we have the spirit and the drive to do it. It has been a long time since the team won and most of us were very young at that time but, I believe this season we can deliver the title. It will be a great honor for us, the fans and the company, said skipper James Situma.
He urged his team mates to avoid complacency, despite facing a second tier side in the semis and believes the Bankers who were relegated from the Kenyan Premier League last season offer a substantive form of opposition.
Tusker head coach Paul Nkata, has however urged his charges the battle has just started and they should not underrate KCB.
Former Tusker and Kenya Breweries winger Paul Onyiera, supported Nkata by urging the players to put their personal ambition behind and hold each other at this crucial time, when the Sportpesa League title is also beckoning.
Addressing the players at Ruaraka House on Friday morning, before the team travelled to Nakuru, Onyiera reminded the players an incident when Kenya Breweries were tossed out, by Zaire’s Motema Pembe in Nairobi when they just needed a draw after completing the job away.
“This is the time we need to love, embrace and hold each other. What is remaining now is to cut the tail. You need that mental strength. The referee will not love you in the pitch, no matter how close you are with him. The referees also have their own allegiance. So go out there and give your all,” observed Onyiera.
Club captain James Situma, said there is no easy game in knock out tournament. He said unless the devil comes in, he was optimistic they will carry the day, by winning both the League title and the GOtv Shield.
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