Influential international midfielder returns for Sofapaka in good time to face former side Gor Mahia
Attack-oriented midfielder Lawrence Juma is an almost indispensable player at Sofapaka and whenever he is not fielded, the Batoto Ba Mungu faithful elicits murmurs of disapproval.
Juma not only boasts of a mixture of experience and exuberance but he is also a proven goal scorer, a trait which was missing at his former club Gor Mahia.
However, due to personal commitments, Juma missed Batoto Ba Mungu’s last three matches in which they settled for a barren draw with Nzoia Sugar before succumbing to identical 2-1 defeats at the hands of KCB and Mathare United.
The interesting bit is that he is back in the Sofapaka fold and is intent to haunt his former employers Gor in a round five fixture at the Kasarani Annexe on Saturday at 1pm.
But it would be suffice to say that Juma and his striking partners including Joe Waithera and Hansel Ochieng’ will be hard pressed to weave through Gor’s defence that has been the meanest since the start of the season by conceding a single goal in three matches.
That now leaves Gor backliners including Haroun Shakava, Philemon Otieno, Joachim Oluoch and Fred Nkata to protect this reputation and especially to to aact as morale boost ahead of the CAF Cup tie against AS Otoho D’Oyo of the Democratic Republic Of Congo later next month.
Reverse trend
Sofapaka have lost two of their last meetings to Gor Mahia and it is now upon the team’s Head Coach Ken Odhiambo to reverse this trend in what is easily the weekend’s highlight that is marked by eight matches.
In Thika Stadium, early leaders of the league Nairobi City Stars will have a point to prove when they engage Posta Rangers.
Simba Wa Nairobi, as City Stars are fondly referred to, have been a nightmare to many teams since the season began and are expected to lean heavily on former Gor Mahia star Nicholas Kipkirui and David Agesa to ‘post mail’ on their opponents.
The same cannot be said of Tusker who had their egos badly bruised by newcomers Talanta in a 2-1 defeat only a few days after the brewers were eliminated from the Africa Champion League by Egyptian giants Zamalek.
Today, Tusker will be gunning to make amends when they host Wazito at Ruaraka grounds from 3.00 pm and will be looking upon Jackson Macharia and Boniface Muchiri among other players for redemption.
And after punching above their weight against Tusker, FC Talanta will be angling to direct their giant-killing act to Bandari at Mbaraki Sports ground on Sunday.
