Preview: Ulinzi Stars seek to pile more misery on Leopards
Football
By
Rodgers Eshitemi
| Feb 24, 2021
Odhiambo urges Sofapaka to bounce back against title-chasing KCB
Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso feels his side is motivated by last weekend’s win over Sofapaka ahead of today’s highly anticipated FKF Premier League match against AFC Leopards at Kasarani Stadium.
While the seventh-placed soldiers, who have posted mixed results (three wins, eight draws and one loss) since the beginning of the season, beat Sofapaka 2-0 to take their points tally to 17, AFC Leopards suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bandari on the debut of their new coach Patrick Aussems.
But having finally seen the likes of Oscar Wamalwa start finding their scoring boot after struggling in front of goal in most of their opening 12 matches, Nyangweso is convinced the team can pile more misery on the fifth-placed wounded Leopards.
The two sides are only separated by two points ahead of the 3pm duel.
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“Honestly speaking, we are motivated by the win over Sofapaka after a series of draws. But the big challenge for the boys now is to show that motivation on the pitch against AFC Leopards,” Nyangweso told Standard Sports.
“We have not been scoring goals, but I’m encouraged with what I have seen in the last few matches. It is my hope that the boys will carry that form into Wednesday’s (today) match. But as always, it will not be an easy match against AFC Leopards. Remember, they are wounded after their disappointment in Mombasa. So, they will be coming into this match seeking to bounce back.”
However, asked about the soldiers’ title chances this season, the former Kenyan international said: “It might be a bit premature to talk about the title, but I can’t lose hope on the title. It doesn’t matter whether Tusker are on top or not. I think the league is a marathon and not a sprint, we will fight until the final match of the season.”
And just like Nyangweso, Sofapaka coach Ken Odhiambo is not giving up on the title as the inconsistent Batoto Ba Mungu welcome title-chasing KCB in Wundanyi today.
“The season is way long to go, I strongly believe we still stand a chance to win the league. For us now every game and points count, we just need to win back to back games and we shall be up there with the rest,” said Odhiambo.
“We are facing a tough tricky side (KCB), they have been on some fine run and it’s by no chance they are placed second on the log. In our past encounters it’s clear we have been the better side and we only want to continue dominating come Wednesday.”
Another exciting match of the day will see Francis Kimanzi’s Wazito come head to head with his former club Mathare United at Kasarani Annex as bottom rooted Zoo entertain Kakamega Homeboyz in Kericho.