Sofapaka boosted with the return of key players Waithera and Odunga from injury
Former Premier League champions Sofapaka have been boosted by the return of influential players Joe Waithera and Geoffrey Ojunga from injury ahead of their trip to Bungoma where they face Nzoia Sugar at the Sudi Stadium tomorrow afternoon in match Day Three.
The duo were missed last weekend when Sofapaka was held to a 0-0 draw with Posta Rangers as Waithera, the scorer of their lone goal in their season opener against Bandari, was nursing an arm injury after being involved in an accident in Muranga, while Ojunga had malaria.
Meanwhile, Tusker FC hat trick hero last weekend, Deogratious Ojok has set a target of converting 15 goals this season. The Ugandan import was in top shape last weekend as he put three goals past Jacob Osano in a thrilling 4-1 win against Nairobi City Stars, becoming the first player to grab a hat trick this term with just two match days played.
The shy talisman who joined the Brewers last season from Bul FC is eager to break a double-digit goal ceiling to help Tusker reclaim the title.
“I feel good to have scored three goals to help the team. I have been working for it and am happy to get the goals although it is not my first time to grab a hat trick and for sure my ambition is to hit 15 and above goals”, he told People Daily Sports.
He was quick to point his pressure to convince coach Robert Matano in relation to getting a place in the regular starting team for the 12-time Kenyan league champions.
“Yes, that is also right, you know in our team we have like four strikers and there is immense competition,” he added.
With dependable Tanzanian forward Ibrahim Mwakasaba injured, Tusker will again likely deploy Ojok on Sunday as the visit league giants AFC Leopards at the Kasarani Main Stadium.
Coach Matano is optimistic of protecting their top of the table status as they deadly Ingwe.
“We will go there and play, we cannot give a walk-over.It will be a good match and any team can win. Leopards can win and Tusker can also win. All in all, I want Tukser to win”, Matano said.
Match day one table toppers Leopards did not feature in last week’s fixture and that could either have positive or negative effects on the team in the aspect of resting and match fitness respectively.
Ingwe could be without captain Eugine Mukangula who is poised for Qatar to watch a World Cup game under Betika sponsorship.
In the last eight outings between the sides, Tusker has managed to down Leopards on four occasions with the latter winning three matches. Only one game has ended in a draw.
Pressure will be on coach Bernard Mwalala as he leads Ulinzi Stars at home against stubborn Posta Rangers at the Complex. Mwalala is yet to get a point this term, losing 2-0 against Leopards and surrendering their machines to the ‘Kids” of Kariobangi Sharks last Sunday in a 3-2 loss.Higuita pulled off one of the most memorable saves in history when he produced a scorpion kick to keep out Jamie Redknapp’s mishit effort for England at Wembley in 1995.
Another huge factor for Ronaldo might be that Al-Nassr’s backroom staff is said to be predominantly made up of Portuguese, eight of the 12 members.
The same report has also suggested that no club from Europe or the MLS could afford to offer anywhere near such a luxurious offer.“It is far from our best performance. This competition is short so we have to recover for the next game and hopefully it will be better for us.”
But does not get any easier.
Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal are next on Friday, rounding off Group A against the Netherlands on 29 November,
Qatar will need to get their act together - and quickly - to avoid the ignominy of being just the second host country after South Africa in 2010 to fail to make it out of the group stage.
Off the pitch, the build-up to their home World Cup was derided, on it the national team don’t want to suffer the same ordeal.
Ansu Fati must go to Qatar
He is out of form and not fit, and yet still when he comes on for Barcelona he manages to make more happen in his half hour than those who have played the previous hour.
He has the magic that no one else can offer Spain coach Luis Enrique.
