Taxmen must raid Nakumatt in playoffs to get league spot

KPL PLAYOFF Ushuru FC's Alex Sunga (left) and Clinton Kisiavuki of Nakumatt FC during playoff match against Nakumatt FC at Camp Toyoyo on Friday Oct 19, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyatta confident his side can overturn one goal deficit.

Ushuru coach Ken Kenyatta believes his side can overturn a one-goal deficit when they host Nakumatt in the reverse fixture of the SportPesa Premier League promotion/relegation playoffs at Kasarani Stadium today.

Tom Odwar capitalised on goalkeeper Kennedy Obwanda’s error to give Nakumatt a slender 1-0 promotion advantage at Camp Toyoyo Grounds last Friday.

The winner on aggregate in today's 3pm encounter will join National Super League champions Western Stima and first runners up Kenya Commercial Bank in next season's SPL that kicks off on December 8.

But, going by the tax-men's first leg performance where they squandered a host of scoring chances, Kenyatta says they can only end their two year absence from the topflight football if their strikers become ruthless in front of goal today.

"It is not yet over until it’s over. We still have a chance but I think we could have gotten a positive result at Camp Toyoyo," Kenyatta said.

"Anyway that's now history. We have another opportunity to amend things and overturn the deficit in the second leg. It is disappointing we lost the first leg after creating many scoring chances, but I think the match is still in our hands."

Last year, the taxmen lost 2-1 to Thika United in the first leg of a similar playoffs before drawing 0-0 in the reverse tie. But the former Kenyan international hopes things to be different this time round.

"We will have to work harder at Kasarani and ensure we utilise our chances, that is the only way we can win it. We have to score at least two goals and avoid conceding. I've a lot of faith in my players, they've the capability to do that," Kenyatta said.

However, with Nakumatt also fighting for their lives, it will not be a walk in the park for Ushuru says the shoppers assistant coach Benjamin Omukuba.

"We are one step away from retaining our SPL status. But as you all know it will not be easy at Kasarani we must  fight hard, concentrate through out the match and gets positive result," Omukuba said.

The return fixture will be preceded by an early 1pm NSL promotion play-offs match between former Premier League side Shabana and Mwatate at the same venue.