SportPesa Shield: Sharks coach Muluya eyes Cup glory on Saturday

Kariobangi Sharks FC's Coach William Muluya after 2-2 goal KPL match against Vihiga County FC at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County on Sunday Feb 11, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya’s flag-bearer in the 2018/19 Caf Confederations Cup will be confirmed on Saturday when 2014 champions Sofapaka and last year’s silver medallists Kariobangi Sharks face-off in the SportPesa Shield final at Kasarani Stadium.

The sides’ last meeting in the Shield tournament was at the quarter-finals stage in 2017 when the William Muluya-coached Sharks won 3-1 on their way to a second place finish.

Since their promotion to the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) in 2016, Sharks have never lost to Sofapaka in a competitive match, winning twice with all the other three meetings ending in barren draws.

This statistic should give Sharks a psychological edge as they seek a chance to compete with the best in Africa.

While stating their intentions of winning the Shield, Sharks coach William Muluya said they are keen to play as a team without necessarily relying on 2018 SPL Golden Boot winner Erick Kapaito.

Kapaito, 27, clinched the individual award after notching 16 goals which included two hat-tricks and two braces.

“The whole team will play an important role in the match and we are not just banking on him. It will be about concentration and the team that loses concentration will be punished,”  Muluya told Standard Sport.

“Everyone  plays a final with an intention to win and we are no exception,” he said.

Enroute to the final, Muluya’s charges eliminated SPL champions  Gor Mahia 4-2 in post-match penalties and  sealed their place in Saturday’s decider with a 4-1 rout of Ulinzi Stars.

On the other hand, Batoto Ba Mungu beat Tusker 2-1 in the quarters before seeing off AFC Leopards 1-0 in the semis

Athletics
Watch out for improved times at Lukenya marathon on Sunday
Rugby
SCHOOLS: Maseno School renew rivalry with St Mary's Yala in rugby
Hockey
SCHOOLS: Ng'iya Girls, Ageng'a Mixed, Kisumu Girls and Nyamira headline hockey
By Mose Sammy 9 hrs ago
Golf
Ireland Brendan wins Nakuru Captain prize