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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Wazito feeling KPL weight: KPL Tusker host Sofapaka in crunch match as AFC travels to Vihiga

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Jul 28, 2018

**Mathare United FC's George Owino (left) and Kennedy Ayako of Wazito FC during KPL match at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday April 21, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]**

Wazito coach Frank Ouna believes fate is ‘in their own hands’ when it comes to being relegated or staying in the SportPesa Premier League next season.

The troubled Wazito have found the going tough on their debut season, spending the better part of the campaign in the relegation zone.

Their situation was worsened when they lost over 18 key players to their rivals in the mid-season transfer window.

But as the bottom placed side, who have garnered a paltry 19 points from 23 matches, host Posta Rangers at Camp Toyoyo tomorrow, the former Gor Mahia and Sofapaka assistant coach has told his players to treat all their remaining fixtures like ‘finals’.

“We have had our fair share of financial difficulties. Consequently, we lost 18 players in mid-season which is a record by any standards. This means we have had to rebuild.

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“The challenge in this rebuilding phase is games were coming thick and fast. We have not had the benefit of a mid-season break because the federation and KPL are changing calendars,” Ouna was quoted on the league’s official portal.

“I have had personal issues as well and I was away from the team for almost two months. I came back last Thursday. We have big fight to stay up. I believe we are equal to the task.”

Though difficult, Ouna feels tomorrow’s clash could be their season’s turning point. But to achieve their goals, Wazito should not depend on the performance of their relegation rivals, Thika United, Vihiga United and Sony Sugar.

“I think any opponent facing Wazito will have an easy game while the opposite is true. All our games are like finals for us. No easy games and that is the mentality we will approach the match against Posta with,” he said.

But the highlight of the weekend will be tomorrow’s match between second placed Sofapaka and Tusker at Ruaraka Grounds.

AFC Leopards will be seeking to bounce back from the 2-1 derby defeat to Gor Mahia when they travel to Mumias to face relegation-threatened Vihiga as Mathare United entertain Sony at Kasarani.

In today’s fixtures, Kariobangi Sharks face Bandari in Mombasa while Thika United host unpredictable Nakumatt in Thika.