Sofapaka coach John Barasa not giving up on title chase

Gor Mahia's Francis Kahata [Standard]

Sofapaka coach John Barasa is not giving up on the SportPesa Premier League title chase as he prays for joint league leaders Gor Mahia to slip.

With less than eleven matches remaining, both Sofapaka and Bandari are tied on 45 points with K’Ogalo but they are edged out on goal difference. Gor still have four games in hand.

While Batoto Ba Mungu face a tricky trip to Sony Sugar today, the record Kenyan champions who have catch up games, tackle Ulinzi Stars in Kisumu.

Although Sofapaka are enjoying a ten-game unbeaten run since losing 1-0 to Gor Mahia in February, the former Kenyan international is disappointed with how they dropped eight points in their draws against Kakamega Homeboyz (2-2), Vihiga United (1-1), Ulinzi Stars (0-0) and Kariobangi Sharks (1-1).

“We will continue pushing on. We won’t give up on the title race at all. We just need to continue focusing on ourselves and pray that Gor Mahia slip up along the way. It’s up to us to keep on running our own race and see what happens on the finishing line,” Barasa told The Standard Sports.

“But one thing is for sure, it will not be easy for Gor Mahia, they will have to work extra hard to retain the title.

“However, I feel somehow disappointed that we dropped points in matches which we could have won easily and increase our title chances. But it’s not over yet, we still have ten matches to go and If both Gor Mahia and Bandari drop points, it will be an advantage to us.”

The four-time SPL golden boot winner further believes, the fixture congestion is somehow advantageous to Gor Mahia.

“Gor Mahia might have played many matches, but as a former player I think that’s advantageous to them in terms of confidence growth. They also have enough depth, so I doubt if that fixture congestion can really affect them,” Barasa said.

Asked if the recent revelation of unpaid salaries at Sofapaka has affected the team’s performance, Barasa said: “Every house has its own problems and Sofapaka is not an exception. But I’m glad the players and the management have been talking and from their performance, I don’t think if the salary issue has affected their output.”