Mathare turn their backs on title chase

Mathare United Coach Salim Ali instructs Martin Ongori during a past match. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Mathare United have realigned their season target after their SportPesa Premier League title aspirations slipped further following Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to KCB in Machakos.

The defeat saw the fourth-placed 2008 league champions fall ten points behind runaway league leaders Gor Mahia (44), who still have a game in hand.

But as the Slum Boys prepare to host fifth-ranked Tusker in Nakuru today (3pm), assistant coach Salim Ali says they are working hard to ensure they secure a top-four finish.

“I think it’s the media who had set those title targets for us, but as a club we had our own targets.  After finishing number eight last season, realistically speaking top-four finish could be the best this year,” Ali told The Standard Sports.

“We worked very well to be at the top, but sometimes you have to see the measures and the players that we have. But of course it is not yet over; we will still fight as a team and ensure we achieve our targets.”

However, to achieve their targets, the former Ulinzi Stars coach challenged his strikers to be more ruthless in front of goal.

“Our main undoing against KCB was scoring. We created many chances but failed to convert them. If we score goals, sometimes it makes it difficult for opponents to come back into the game. So, if we can sharpen the scoring element then I think we are good to go,” said Salim.

While Mathare seem to have given up on the title race, Sofapaka coach John Baraza remains optimistic of his side’s title chances despite drawing 1-1 with Vihiga United on Thursday.

“Football is a very funny game. I’m definitely disappointed with the Vihiga United result but we are still in the title race. We still have a number of games to go, so we will continue pushing on. We need to focus on ourselves not our rivals,” Baraza said.

Second-placed Batoto Ba Mungu will be hoping to bounce back to their winning ways when they travel to Kericho tomorrow.

And for AFC Leopards coach Andre Cassa Mbungo, Thursday’s 2-0 win over Chemelil Sugar was a great response after their elimination from the SportPesa Shield by Bungoma Super Stars last weekend.

“It was an important win after the Shield exit. We played very well and deserved the win.

“But we will continue pushing on until we move to a better position,” Mbungo said.