Robert Matano boasts a fairly solid record against Gor Mahia since his 2018 return to Ruaraka. This weekend poses the question: will he continue this trend?
Gor Mahia is set to clash with Tusker on Saturday afternoon at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. Their aim is to keep their unbeaten streak alive and expand their nine-point lead atop the Football Kenya Federation Premier League table.
Tusker has been on a winning spree, securing victories in their last five games. This impressive performance has propelled them from 12th to third in the league, breathing new life into their championship aspirations.
Under Matano’s guidance, Tusker has a history of slow starts, evident in the 2021/2022 season when they were 14th after 11 games. Yet, they rallied to clinch the title, edging out Kakamega Homeboyz on goal difference.
As these two giants gear up for a ‘Clash of the Titans’ at Machakos Stadium, Pulse Sports examines Gor Mahia’s performance against Tusker since Matano’s 2018 comeback, replacing Sam Timbe.
Since Matano’s return, he has faced Gor Mahia 14 times, during which Gor Mahia has seen eight different coaches.
Matano’s record stands at five wins, five losses, and four draws against Gor Mahia. However, most of these losses occurred when he was still settling into his role, taking three years to build a title-winning team.
Gor Mahia dominated all three matches in 2019, including a 5-2 victory early in the 2019/2020 season under Steven Polack’s leadership.
However, Matano turned the tables in 2020, 2021, and 2022, claiming victory in each year.
In 2020 and 2021, Tusker secured three 2-1 victories and a FKF Community Shield trophy, triumphing on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
In 2022, the teams drew once, and Tusker won 2-0 on their way to the now-defunct 2021-2022 season title. However, under Johnathan McKinsry’s guidance, Gor Mahia has recently had the upper hand.
Tusker won the first leg 2-1 but drew 0-0 in the second leg last season, aiding Gor Mahia’s cause in ultimately securing the league title by a single point in 2023.
Earlier this season, Tusker again emerged victorious with a 1-0 win in October, thanks to Benson Omala’s controversial goal, deemed offside in replays.
The pressing question now is whether McKinsry can continue his winning streak against Tusker, or if Robert Matano will finally outmaneuver his Northern Irish rival.
