By Gilbert Wandera
Nairobi, Kenya: Thika United have one more chance to make it to the final of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top Eight tournament when they host Chemelil Sugar Wednesday at Nyayo National Stadium.
The league leaders lost the first leg 1-0 and have the tough task of scoring two goals to make it to the final which will be historical for them considering that it is their first time in this tournament.
Thika United coach, John Kamau, has everything to get the results he needs against the sugar millers.
First, his top striker Francis Kahata is finally at his best after scoring two goals to lift his side to a 2-1 win over Tusker last weekend something that enabled them to go back to the top of the standings for only the second time this season.
It is a situation that has left the Thika side fired up to face any opposition and Chemelil should be wary.
Apart from Kahata, Thika also have former Gor Mahia forward Ezekiel Odera, who has found his scoring boots again since joining the club at the beginning of this season and he adds to the options upfront.
Having won the first leg two weeks ago, Chemelil are likely to field a defensive side to protect their slim lead.
The team received a major boost by winning the first leg two weeks ago something they will be keen to repeat.
Chemelil coach, Mike Mururi, understands he is on the verge of making history by overcoming Thika. The sugar millers have never gone beyond the first round of the competition and this too will add as an extra boost to their campaign.
John Mwaita who came off the bench to score in the first leg against Thika will once again be relied upon to lead the team’s search for goals with help coming from Tony Opondo the other perennial scorer.
Elsewhere, former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka players have been paid all their outstanding allowances after the club sponsors East African Portland Cement released the remaining sponsorship money last week.
It is a move that has raised spirits in the team camp ahead of their weekend match against Muhoroni Youth, sources told FeverPitch.
Sofapaka chairman, Elly Kalekwa, assured there will be no more delays after striking an agreement with the sponsor to release their money on time regarding future payments.
“They have all been paid whatever was owed and we have agreed with our sponsors to be releasing the money on time. I now want to challenge the players to work hard and give our sponsors value for money,” he said.
He added: “At Sofapaka, we always strive to meet our obligations to the players and to our knowledge, we don’t owe any player who has left the club for one reason or another.”
Sofapaka coach, David Ouma, thanked the club chairman for resolving the issue and said it gives the players a major boost.
Ouma has promised that the side will bounce back to winning ways against Muhoroni on Saturday after failing to go past KCB and Homeboyz.
“We had prepared well against KCB and were ready to pick all three points. However, we were a bit slow of the block and did not carry over our efforts to their half.
“We did well to stop any counter-attacks but we still gave them a lot of space at the back which enabled them to score,” he said.
