Thika United players training, on Friday. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO / STANDARD]

By Jonathan Komen

Thika United Coach John Kamau is confident his charges will stop any aggression when they host Ulinzi Stars this afternoon.

They lie second in six matches at the league table, basking in four wins, a draw and a loss.

They beat Muhoroni Youth 2-0, Kakamega HomeBoyz 3-2, City Stars 2-1 and Chemelil 2-1 to glide to the top Eight.

 The youthful side, who beat 2009 KPL champions Sofapaka in post-match penalties in the Top 8 tournament, will be led by skipper Dennis Odhiambo in this match.

They are banking on Francis Kahata, who scored a classic goal when Harambee Stars played Nigeria at the World Cup qualifier and a bonus from striker Ezekiel Odera, who scored two goals against Sofapaka to see them through semis.

They lost to Sofapaka 1-0 in their opening match at the Nyayo Stadium before a 1-1 draw against Bandari away at the Mbaraki Stadium.

In Kamau’s list is young keeper Levis Opiyo, who was crowned the 2010 and 2011 best keeper from central during the now dead Safaricom Sakata Ball Under-23 national tournament in Nyeri.

Kamau told FeverPitch on Friday during their training at Green Field Plant in Thika: “My team is ready to take on Ulinzi. I have a work plan for five matches. I have handled the youth for long and thus saw no need for more signings this season.”

Kamau, a former under-19 coach, said: “I want to improve player by 20 per cent this season and that see us at the top three, at least. With already a place in the Top 8, we can improve on our last season’s performance.”

But skipper Odhiambo said the change in training ground in Thika Stadium – occasioned by the NBK/AK athletics meeting –was challenging.

“The ground is bumpy. But we are not scared to meet any team,” said Odhiambo.