Stima test for Leopards; Gor Mahia face Bandari as Zetech take on Homeboyz
Football
By
Gilbert Wandera
| Jul 08, 2017
GOtv Matano keen to breathe life into Leopards
Veteran coach Robert Matano has over the years built an enviable reputation as the man to resurrect struggling clubs.
It was therefore no surprise when AFC Leopards came calling last week to turn around what has been a bad season.
Matano believes he has the medicine to turn around Leopards as the team takes on Nairobi Stima in today’s GoTV Shield pre-quarters at Mumias Complex.
It will be a double header at Mumias as Kakamega Homeboyz face Zetech before Leopards take on Nairobi Stima.
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“It is understandable that the morale at AFC Leopards is at an all time low, but it will get better with time.
“As long as we are working towards the same objective then everything will just be fine,” he said.
He has also refuted suggestions that it will be a tall order for him to turn around Leopards. “As a coach, I have faced all manner of challenges and this is no different. Furthermore, I have always taken charge of unstable clubs and turned them around and that remains my mission with Leopards,” he said.
Leopards go into this match motivated after edging out Dero 15-1 in the GoTV Shield first round match two weeks ago.
“It is looking increasingly impossible that Leopards will win the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and the Shield competition therefore remains their only hope for silverware this season.
Nairobi Stima will be no push-overs considering they have had an impressive show in the National Super League where they are second on the log with 35 points.
Coach Ibrahim Shikanda has done a wonderful job at the lower division side and beating a team of AFC Leopard’s calibre should even improve his ratings.
At Afraha Stadium, Ulinzi Stars have a date with Sony Sugar.
While the soldiers are enjoying a good run of results in the league, the same cannot be said of their opponents.
Ulinzi go into this match on the back of an impressive 2-2 tie against Gor Mahia last weekend. The soldiers had to come from two goals down to pick a point with their top scorer Stephen Waruru getting a brace.
He will once again be depended on to guide them over this hurdle.
The soldiers are looking increasingly lethal on the domestic front this season and are likely to go further than they did last year on all fronts.