Here are some thoughts from different tacticians ahead of their SportPesa Premier League round five matches this long Easter weekend:
Gor Mahia coach Marcelo Ferreira: “I repeat that our biggest challenge is that whenever teams come to play Gor Mahia they try to be at their very best. That means that we cannot afford to be complacent for even one moment because that will mean we get hit. Last weekend we played a team made of quite young players but we barely survived. Sony Sugar team is the same and so the boys must work harder and win by bigger margins if we are to win the title this season.” GOR ARE AWAY TO SONY SUGAR AT MOI STADIUM ON SATURDAY
AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall: “Four of the players in the first team are out with injury. Marcus Abwao, Dennis Sikhayi, Paul Kiongera and Salim Abdalla can’t play this next game. That only means that we have to change both our strategy and formation. We shall fly to Mombasa so that the players don’t suffer from fatigue like they did when we played Chemelil in Kisumu last weekend (Leopards travelled by road for that match). I know Muhoroni Youth like to keep the ball and then torment their opponents with it so it is not going to be an easy match. I hope the Plan B will work.” LEOPARDS HOST MUHORONI YOUTH AT MBARAKI SPORTS CLUB ON SUNDAY
Mathared United coach Francis Kimanzi: “Somehow my players don’t realize that this is the Premier League, where one goal is enough to finish off the opposition. They have been wasting chances in the last two games and I have told them that they should put more pressure on the opponent. They shouldn’t hold back no matter who we are playing. We are going away this time, and there is an added challenge there, but I know that if we fight hard we shall be able to get those three points. MATHARE FACE POSTA RANGERS AT THIKA STADIUM ON MONDAY
Sony Sugar coach Salim Babu: “Gor Mahia have their strengths on the wings. I have observed that this season. But just like us, they have problems with converting chances so I think if we remain disciplined in defense and then become more clinical in front of goal then we can go past them. I have been working specifically with my strikers this week so I hope they will be at full strength during the match. We can take on Gor.” SONY HOST GOR MAHIA AT MOI STADIUM ON SATURDAY
Posta Rangers coach Sammy Omolo: “I missed Charles Odette last weekend, and I am glad he is back. When you are playing a team like Mathare United, you need to have your best players on board because they have an experienced squad that knows how to squeeze wins out of any team. We are relishing a meeting with them.” RANGERS PLAY MATHARE UNITED AT THIKA STADIUM ON MONDAY
Thika United coach James Nandwa: “I think this will be an easier fixture for me. Last week we played Zoo Kericho, and I didn’t know how to plan for them because I wasn’t familiar with how they like to play. Bandari is different because I know their style of play and so I can plan appropriately for them. One of their strengths is that they have a good goalkeeper. We have to create well and executive well if we are to beat him.” THIKA ON THE ROAD AGAINST BANDARI AT MBARAKI SPORT CLUB ON SUNDAY
Western Stima coach Henry Omino: “I want an early goal, and a second one if possible. Last weekend we lost (against Posta Rangers) and we cannot afford another defeat. We shall be at home so there is no need to be too defensive. In fact, we have a good record against Chemelil Sugar so we may opt to all out and kill them off like we did against Gor Mahia (two weeks ago). STIMA ENTERTAIN CHEMELIL SUGAR AT MOI STADIUM ON SUNDAY
