Seeking momentum
Football Kenya Federation (FKF)-Premier League enters round nine today with all eyes on Wazito FC who seem to be on a recovery path after a poor start to the season and former champions Mathare United who will be chasing their second Premiership win.
Big spenders Wazito who are fourth on the log meets 11th-placed Nzoia Sugar who stunned 2009 Champions Sofapaka 2-1 last weekend.
Wazito who started the season with a 4-0 loss to Kariobangi Sharks, have managed to calm their nerves and are now on 14 points, thanks to recent wins against Nairobi City Stars, Bidco United and AFC Leopards.
Under the tutelage of coach Francis Kimanzi, Wazito are the favourites on paper ahead of today’s match, however, the sugar men who have picked five points in their last three matches are not pushovers especially after their sterling performance against Sofapaka in their last fixture.
Speaking to People Sport yesterday, Nzoia United tactician Ibrahim Shikanda said he expected a tough match at the 3pm kick-off to be played at the Kasarani Annex and urged his players to carry on from where they left last week and be equal to the challenge.
“We are going to face a very good team who are on a winning streak. They have great players and a top coach and so I know we will be having quite some work on the pitch.
We want to do well and we must be alert and ambitious at the same time. We are also on an upward trend as well, since we have not lost in three matches, so I know we can offer a proper challenge to our opponents if we stick to our strategy,” said the former Bandari FC Assistant Coach.
Kimanzi will be hoping the good form of his midfielders Kevin Kimani and Fidel Origa alongside the scoring boots of Vincent Oburu are on point this afternoon.
The latter scored a sensational last minute goal against 12th placed Bidco United at Utalii Grounds last Sunday.
Meanwhile close by at the main Stadium, sixth placed Bandari FC will be facing slum-boys Mathare United who got their first win of the campaign last weekend, thanks to a 2-0 win over Zoo FC.
Bandari under Rwandese tactician Casa Mbungo formerly of AFC Leopards, have seven points from their last three matches with their last weekend’s 4-3 win over Kakamega Homeboyz being the main talking point.
Coach Salim Ali who suggests his team has been a work in progress after almost a year out of competitive football will want to go out and pick another maximum points to ensure confidence returns.
“We are basically getting the rust out but so far I can see progress. For us this is a pre-season within a season and it is all about assessing our players.
After 4-5 matches I will know where we are headed for certain,” he said.
