By GILBERT WANDERA
Karuturi Sports coach Michael Nam will miss the service of six first team players as he comes up against Kenyan Premier League leaders AFC Leopards at Mumias Sports Complex Saturday.
Injury has ruled out Benjamin Okech, John Kanji, Mohammed Mwachipono, Nathan Munai, Victor Majid and Allan Otindo leaving Karuturi exposed to the bone and their coach worried as they face the leaders in a crucial encounter.
Instead of crying over the impossible, Nam has put on a brave face insisting that those available can do the job.
“I believe that those who will be selected can fight bravely for us and get us the points we need to register a positive result in this match,” he said.
Nam was full of praise for his opponents saying Leopards deserve to be at the top of the league standings.
“They are a good side and the fact that they have won majority of their matches so far gives them the right to be at the top. However, I too have a good team and we go with the determination to come out positively.
“There has been a lot of changes in both sides since we drew 1-1 in the first leg and this should make the match interesting,” he said.
Veteran Karuturi striker Jacob Omondi leads the attack for the flower men.
With Karuturi exposed, it would look simpler for Leopard’s coach Jaan Koops. But the Dutchman will be under pressure to maintain the positive performance his side is enjoying.
Pressure mounts
Koops is alive to the fact that staying at the top of the log is a difficult task than climbing there. He must find a way to handle the pressure of winning.
Former Tusker midfielder Paul Were has been a positive addition to the club and his ball passing skills will be crucial to open up Karuturi defence and create chances for forwards Allan Wanga and Mike Barasa.
Stubborn Nairobi City Stars must bounce back when they host Gor Mahia at City Stadium this afternoon.
Stars are winless in the last three matches and are still seething from the 1-0 unfair loss at the hands of AFC Leopards last Friday.
But coach Gideon Ochieng must get over this disappointment and push up his players against another good side. Historically City Stars have always been a hard nut to crack for Gor and today may not be any different.
Ochieng is aware of Gor Mahia game plans having handled the team two years ago and he also has Ibrahim Kitawi, who was released by Gor two months ago, to complement him whenever he missed a point.
Gor are enjoying top form with seven matches unbeaten meaning they will not be in any mood to drop points.
