Calm AFC Leopards stalk Sony: AFC seek to dig its way up despite threat of Sony Sugar in midweek clash

Ulinzi Stars' coach Robert Matano shouts on the touchline during their KPL match at Nyayo stadium on 13-08-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Coach Matano calls for hard work ahead of clash in Kericho, Sofapaka face Ulinzi Stars.

Robert Matano insists a lot of work needs to be done to haul AFC Leopards from the lower reaches of the Kenyan Premier League and it would be foolhardy to revel in their three-match unbeaten run.

Leopards beat Zoo Kericho 3-1 on Saturday in Kericho and descend on the same venue this afternoon to face fellow stragglers Sony Sugar.

Leopards and Sony Sugar will be first in action at Kericho Green Stadium before Ulinzi Stars take on Sofapaka from 4:15pm.

Even after beating champions Tusker 1-0 and holding Gor Mahia to a 1-1 draw before victory over Zoo Kericho, Matano said: “This is nothing to write home about. AFC Leopards should not be where we are now. A lot needs to be done by everyone connected to this great club.

“The players must be ready to sacrifice their sweat and supporters, too, have to be right behind the team,” said Matano, who was hired following Leopards’ poor performance in the wake of managerial anarchy that saw the departure of Englishman Stewart Hall and Romania’s Dorian Marin.

He added: “We are not getting carried away with the past three results. We must continue with the hard work.”

Matano, a disciple of strict fitness regime and belief in player-discipline has restored a sense of order in the Leopards den since his arrival.

He has managed to re-engineer the team’s defensive discipline while maintaining the unit’s balance both in midfield and attack, something even his critics feel is beginning to pay off for Leopards.

How far they have improved will, however, be tested by 2006 KPL champions Sony Sugar who are coming off a 2-0 victory over champions Tusker.

The millers themselves are coming off a bad streak and this clash should also provide a sterner test for Salim Babu’s men.

Although both sides are coming off victories their lack of consistency and their even head-to-head suggests a turgid clash could be on the offing this afternoon.

Sony Sugar won 1-0 in their first leg clash in Awendo on May 10, but neither side has completed a double over the other since 2014.

The millers’ two-goal hero against Tusker George Abege is out of the Leopards clash following the passing away of his mother. The Ugandan striker, with four goals to his name has formed a good striking partnership with Amos Asembeka, who has scored six goals so far.

With four teams to be relegated at the end of the season in KPL’s 18-team format, competition to move away from the red zone has started in earnest and this tie, is very much one to watch.