Relentless Tusker have shown the clearest sign the are out to retain their league title after their their 1-0 win over AFC Leopards that saw them draw level on points with league leaders Gor Mahia as the competition takes a three-week break three rounds of matches to the half way stage.
Nzoia Sugar coach Bernard Mwalala: “I have realized that the players don’t like to play at Sudi because of pressure from the fans (drew with Sofapaka 1-1) . That is why we are yet to win any game there. Fans are usually good, but many times they put so much pressure on these lads it becomes too much too handle, and this costs us. I’d like the fans to appreciate that this is a young team, composed of players who are featuring at this top level for the very first time in their careers. Let us be patient with them.”
Posta Rangers coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo :“Looking at the chances we had especially in the first half, we deserved to win this match (drew 1-1 with Gor Mahia). But I don’t think the equaliser should have been allowed to stand. There had been a foul in the box that the referee failed to call. Gor Mahia is a good team and when you pick one point, you feel relieved.”
Gor Mahia coach Marcelo Ferreira: “It has been a very difficult match for us, and now the pressure is obviously building because we haven’t won in two games (drew 1-1 with Posta Rangers). Thankfully, we have a two week break to strategise on how to come back strongly. The break (for three weeks) will also be beneficial to the players who weren’t able to be play today (like Harun Shakava and George “Blackberry” Odhiambo) due to injuries.”
Thika United coach Nicholas Muyoti: “The fact that I haven’t won since I took over the coaching duties doesn’t worry me because I feel that the team’s performance is improving every day (Thika United 1-1 Muhoroni Youth). It is only in the striking department that I am not satisfied with. We are wasting too many chances. Do not be surprise if we sign up more strikers this June, we need them.”
Muhoroni Youth coach James “Odijo” Omondi: “I thank God for this one point because we were away (drew 1-1 with Thika United). Now that we are going onto a three week break, we have somewhere to start from. This is a new team and we are still in the rebuilding process, which is why I usually celebrate every point we get.Remember also that I had to change goalkeepers during the game after Sowedi (Salim) got injured. That affected us.”
Kakamega Homeboyz coach Mike Mururi: “If we take into account the fact that we made such a long trip from Kakamega to Mombasa, I think this draw is a positive result (drew 0-0 with Bandari). The players were obviously suffering from fatigue and I commend them for their fighting spirit.”
Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa: “We have been inconsistent in the last four games due to the absences of key payers (drew 1-1 with Nzoia Sugar). Moses Odhiambo, Charles Okwemba and also goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya have not been playing regularly for the entire month due to injury forcing me to adversely adjust the squad. We also have to be having issues with defending set pieces and must really work on this area if we are to have any ambitions of fighting for the title.”
Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso: “We didn’t lose that game fairly (Chemelil Sugar 2-1 Ulinzi Stars). The referee is to blame for our loss because he made very biased calls, even on issues that looked quite straight forward.”
