Defence laxity worries Sharks coach Muluya

Kariobangi Sharks Coach William Muluya against Asante Kotoko from Ghana during their CAF confederation qualifier match at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 15/12/18[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Kariobangi Sharks coach William Muluya is a worried man.

Despite leading the team to tomorrow’s semi-finals of the Sportpesa Cup at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the tactician is not impressed with his squad.

In a post-match interview after Sharks upset record 27-time Tanzanian Premier league champions Yanga FC, Muluya blamed his defenders for laxity in the last 10 minutes of the match.

It's during this time that Yanga sneaked back two goals in seven minutes but the Kenyans held on to eventually win 3-2.

“There was lack of concentration in the dying minutes as we let our two first half goal lead be threatened. I caution my defenders to be more active in the entire 90 minutes during the semi-final match,” said Muluya.

Sharks take on the winner between champions Gor Mahia and Mbao in tomorrow’s last-four match.

“We cannot take that risk again. We must maintain total concentration in the semi-final. It’s upon the entire team and especially the defence, to be more cautious,” said the coach as he hailed his boys for a sterling performance.

In the Tuesday match, Sharks took a 2-0 first half lead through Abuya Duke and George Abege before Yanga pulled one back through second half substitute Amisi Tambwe in the 86th minute.

Duke, who was declared the man-of-the-match, completed his brace in the injury time.

But due to a defensive blunder, Tambwe added the second in the stoppage time that saw the match stopped for a minute after both players lost their cool, and at some point, the situation threatened to get out of control as time ticked away.

Muluya said he was prepared for the match against Yanga as he had previously watched their video clips.

"We knew Yanga are currently leading in Tanzanian league and have a big following. The only way to stun them was to go for early goals, which we did,” said Muluya.

Yanga coach Mwinyi Zahera said his boys were fatigued after returning from their Caf Champions League match against AS Vita of Congo last weekend.

“My players looked heavy and tired,” said the coach.

He said his focus is now on domestic league.