Stima, Mathare and Sony hope to get consolation prize when they tackle GOtv quarters this weekend

BY GILBERT WANDERA

Western Stima, Mathare United and Sony Sugar will be hoping for consolation this season when they line up in the quarter-finals of the GOtv shield.

The three teams have had a trying season in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) with Sony and Mathare United both in danger of being relegated and Stima fighting to get as far away as possible from the relegation zone.

Stima, who are 11th on the log with 29 points, begin their quest for glory this afternoon when they take on Gor Mahia at Nyayo National Stadium. Also playing today at the same venue are Sony Sugar and Mathare United.

Given their current form, league leaders  Gor Mahia are favourites to edge out Stima even as they keenly chase a double this season.

Gor are also the tournament’s defending champions which means they will not settle for anything less than a final place. With tougher league battles lined up in the coming weeks, Gor coach Bobby Williamson is likely to use this match to give some second string players a chance to prove what they can do.

Goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda is likely to start in goal as has been the case in all cup matches previously with new sensation Joseph Wanyonyi finding his place again in the midfield to assist Kevin Omondi and Paul Kiongera.

Stima  frontmen  Dennis Onkang’i and Francis Ocholla will be under pressure to end an almost four week goal drought that has haunted Stima. Mathare United who won the KPL in 2008, have an opportunity to make up for a terrible season when they host Sony Sugar also at Nyayo Stadium today.

United have struggled to win most of their league matches and currently have the highest number of draws standing at 14.

Regardless of their current form, they still have the ability to dispatch Sony with veteran striker Francis Ouma playing against his former club for the first time.

Sony also need motivation as they fight to remain in the KPL next season and will be going for nothing short of victory. Moses Arita and Marwa Chamberi are their options for goals.

Tomorrow, the remaining two quarter-final matches will be played. The first match will be between surprise package Finlays against Sofapaka before AFC Leopards take on struggling Karuturi Sports.

Finlays are the only Division One side still remaining in contention for the GOtv shield and have been thrown in the deep end after being paired against former champions Sofapaka. Their inexperience could work against them.

Unsure of clinching the KPL title, Sofapaka will go all out in their quest to get something this season.

Leopards go into their match against Karuturi desperate for a piece of silverware this season. New coach James Nandwa will be chasing his fourth win in a row and a place in the semi-finals.