Western Stima coach Henry Omino gestures during a past match/PHOTO-Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16 – Henry Omino hopes Western Stima can carry its Kenyan Premier League fine form over to the GOtv Shield when they face National Super League side KCB in the quarter-finals on Saturday at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium.
Stima are enjoying a good run in the Premier League having only lost once in nine matches to sit fourth on 37 points, eight behind leaders Tusker FC and stay in contention for their maiden KPL title.
They enter as favourites against KCB in the opening GOtv Shield quarters, but Omino has urged his charges not to downplay the former Kenyan Premier League side, disclosing that they are a formidable side after eliminating Thika United in the round of 16.
“They (KCB) did well bundling out Thika United so we know it will not be easy but we have prepared well. Our strategy is to possess the ball and make sure we convert our chances as we have done in the Premier League,” Omino asserted.
“We are looking forward to good things ahead; we have a chance to win both the GOtv Shield and the League. We are on a good run and we expect better results. Everything is possible and every game we will play, we will treat it with a lot of seriousness.”
Omino has all his squad available for selection and will be banking on fast rising youngster, midfielder Kenneth Muguna to continue creating chances as well as score.
Western Stima midfielder Kenneth Muguna prepares to take a free kick in a match against nairobi City Stars on September 11, 2016 at Nyayo Stadium. PHOTO/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Muguna has been instrumental to the side having four goals to his credit and will partner with Fredrick Nyarombo, Maurice Ojwang and Kennedy Otieno to deny KCB the ball in the midfield.
“Muguna has proved to us that we made a good decision signing him. He is helping us in the midfield and he is a big contributor to the team since most of the goals come from him. We hope he continues with the same tempo against KCB,” Omino said on Muguna who was named the SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for August.
KCB will not be pushovers either as they have experienced players in the likes of defender Moses Odhiambo as well as forward Benjamin Chaka who were in the squad that was relegated from the top flight football last season.
The Bankers are yet to taste defeat in their last eight matches in the Super League and will be inspired they that to upset Stima.
In other fixtures, National Super League leaders Nzoia United face an acid test against Kenyan Premier League side Ulinzi Stars at the same venue in Kisumu while Posta Rangers will battled it out with TimSales in a postponed round of 16 clash at the Nyayo National Stadium.
On Sunday defending champions Bandari entertains Kariobangi Sharks in Kisumu.
