Thika United seek Kenya Premier League rebirth ahead of their clash with Ingwe

An AFC Leopards fan reacts in a past Kenyan Premier League Top 8 match against Tusker FC at Nyayo Stadium. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Thika United coach James Nandwa has admitted that his striking force is quite blunt even as they prepare to host AFC Leopards today.

Nandwa, who is also a former AFC Leopards coach, also added that victory remains key to his side. They surely need to get off the bottom of the log. Thika are 14th, having picked just 11 points from 13 matches. They are one point above the relegation zone.

“Our finishing has been a big problem this season. We create so many chances, but end up either drawing or losing by small margins. This is something we have been working on as a team and hope it will get better against AFC Leopards,” he said.

Thika have scored four goals in their last six matches. They have also won twice; beating Chemelil Sugar and Nairobi City Stars by identical 1-0 scores.

Nandwa said they cannot afford to drop any more points against AFC Leopards and will give their best going into the match.

“We are in a bad position and we need to move up. This means we have to fight extra hard and my job as a coach is to motivate the players to do just that,” he said.

Nandwa at the same time insisted that being a former AFC Leopards coach does not give him any advantage going into the match.

“More than 90 percent of the players have left AFC Leopards since I last handled them. Furthermore, the team has changed a lot. So, it is difficult to plan in advance, based on my previous knowledge of them.”

AFC Leopards coach Ivan Minnaert will be under pressure to produce positive results in the 4:15pm kick-off.

The last time AFC Leopards won a match was on April 9 and since then, they have dropped points on the road. Tomorrow, defending champions Gor Mahia put their title credentials on the line when they take on second-placed Mathare United at Nyayo Stadium.

Gor Mahia have been on a roll and last weekend defeated Western Stima 1-0 to move third to third place. Mathare United present the KPL champions with their biggest test so far.

The slum boys have been rejuvenated by the return of Francis Kimanzi and Salim Ali to the technical bench.