The only unbeaten team in the league going into the 12th round of matches Posta Rangers lost that distinction over the weekend as new comers Zoo Kericho upset dark horses Bandari and Mathare United continued to sink in misery as Tusker continued to thrive handsomely. Here is what the protagonists had to say.
Gor Mahia coach Marcelo Ferreira: “We created many chances and should have won the match in the first half, but the strikers were not lucky (drew 1-1 with Thika United). I also feel that the referee should have added more than just five minutes at the end of regular time. Thika were always on the ground during the second half. They didn’t play at all, just wasting time. I think we played only 35 minutes in the second half.”
Thika United coach Nicholas Muyoti: “We are doing very well in defense (drew 1-1 with Gor Mahia). We have conceded just one goal in two games and it was from a free kick. We are now becoming hard to break down. We now need to start breaking down teams. I don’t think we have dropped two points. While we had a good chance to win the game, it is also important to note that we were away from home and coming out with a point is good. All the players did extremely well today, Mwinyi Kibwana was my man-of-the-match and I admire the confidence he had when he was scoring our goal.”
Tusker coach George Nsimbe: “We are in a good place right now (beat Mathare United 2-0). The players have been very dedicated and the results are there to be seen. We kept a clean sheet today. Good.”
Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi: “This is the third consecutive loss and it is not good at all (lost 2-0 to Tusker). The players created chances. This was just not our day.”
Posta Rangers coach Sammy Omollo: “I don’t know why people are surprised (lost 1-0 to Ulinzi Stars). I knew that our unbeaten run would come to an end at one point this season. It has happened. But it is not the end of the road. In fact, the defeat may be a blessing in disguise because it has exposed our weaknesses and mistakes, which we will work on before we meet Gor Mahia in our next match.”
Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso: “I told my boys they must end Posta Rangers’ unbeaten run and they must utilise every half chance (beat Posta Rangers 1-0). I am happy with the win.”
Kakamega Homeboyz coach Mike Mururi: “I must say the boys have picked up form (beat AFC Leopards 1-0). We want to maintain the same form in our next match, and the next. We are capable of competing with any opposition in the league and just need to be consistent. I think we have finally gelled together as a team, and the players understand each other more.”
AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall: “We played well, but as usual, we missed many scoring chances (lost 1-0 to Kakamega Homeboyz). We deserved to have scored at least a goal, may be more. We did not deserve to lose.”
Nzoia Sugar coach Bernard Mwalala: “Against Gor Mahia we lost unfairly and the players were very disheartened by that, which is why I am very happy that they won this time (beat Muhoroni Youth 3-0). Every department played according to instruction and the strikers were exceptional. I think we could easily have scored five goals but the 3-0 result is still satisfactory.”
