Sofapaka ready to face City Stars on Saturday

By Gilbert Wandera

NAIROBI, KENYA: Sofapaka coach David Ouma says he got everything he needs to collect three points against City Stars in their Saturday Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at Nyayo National Stadium.

Going into the match on the back of a barren draw against Western Stima last Saturday, Ouma said his strategy includes scoring an early goal. He said this let them down in the match.

“Against Stima, we had an opportunity to finish off the game in the first 12 minutes. We created five corners among a host of other opportunities but my strikers did not take advantage of the same.

“This allowed Stima to develop confidence as the match progressed and that is why they could afford to play an open game. However, we want to score early against City Stars and we have the men to do it.

“Bob Mugalia one of our top strikers is back in his element and Dan Kago has also recovered from an injury.

“This gives us great options upfront and has created competition among the players as they fight for positions,” said Ouma.

Striking problem

The coach is however, still concerned with the blunt striking force but he reveals this is a priority he is working on and hopes to improve before their weekend assignment.

“Generally, we are picking up well in every department. While the scoring bit is still an issue, it is not the same going by the number of goals the team has scored in the last two matches. It is getting better with time,” he said.

Elsewhere, a number of interesting fixtures have been lined-up this weekend in the KPL, which will see arch-rivals fight it out against each other.

League champions Tusker have a tough match against AFC Leopards at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday with both sides facing a confidence crisis in the wake of poor results.

Tusker lost 1-0 to Sony Sugar last Sunday and will be keen to bounce back to winning ways while Leopards will be looking to end their lack of victory in two matches.

Other interesting matches will see Gor Mahia taking on Sony Sugar on Sunday, the same day Mathare United invites Ulinzi Stars at the same venue.

Body dent

Meanwhile Karuturi Sport have suffered another blow after their assistant manager Jack Gatheru also crossed over to newly-promoted Division One side Talanta, adds SuperSport.com

Head coach Michael Nam left Karuturi in February indicating that he was heading abroad to further his coaching studies. It later emerged that the abroad trip would be sponsored by Talanta.

He took position as the head coach of the club, as he prepares to travel. Once he is done with the course, he is expected to take up position at the club on a full-time basis.

Reliable sources confirm that Gatheru penned a two-year contract with Talanta and that he officially took up duty on Monday April 16.

At Karuturi, former Thika United assistant Coach James Omondi was named the head coach of the club, close to two months after Nam’s departure. Under his watch the team has managed two barren home draws, against Muhoroni Youth and Mathare United.

Karuturi struggled through the 2012 season and were at one point kicked out of their home stadium.