Wazito FC head coach Boniface Ambani on the bench during a past Kenyan Premier League match. PHOTO/Wazito FC/Twitter
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 18 – Wazito FC head coach Fred Ambani says he is under no pressure at the club despite earning only one win in their first five games of the season, this coming after massive investment and huge expectations.
Wazito who gained promotion back to top tier this season have won once, drawn thrice and lost once in their opening five games of the campaign to sit 12th in the standings with six points.
“There is no pressure whatsoever because if you look at how we have been progressing, there has been improvement game by game. We started the season with so many new players and it takes time to get a good understanding between the players,” Ambani told Capital Sport.
Ambani is confident the side will find its footing as the season progresses and has warned anyone writing them off just yet.
They take their hunt for a second win of the season to Machakos on Saturday where they take on Kakamega Homboyz in a 2pm kick off.
“It will be a very tough game because Homeboyz have been getting good results and are also a good outfit. We are prepared for a tough game and everyone is looking forward to fight for the three points more so because we are playing at home,” Ambani noted.
Wazito FC striker Joe Waithira kicks the ball during a training session at the GEMS Cambridge School. PHOTO/Wazito FC/Twitter
Ahead of the tie, Wazito have been boosted with the return to fitness of strikers Amos Asembeka and Joe Waithira a welcome boost especially to boost their attack line that has averaged one goal per game.
Meanwhile, in the late kickoff, on-form AFC Leopards will take on Western Stima seeking to keep their winning formula running.
Leopards sit second in the standings with 10 points off five games, just two short of bitter rivals Gor Mahia who have played a game less.
Leopards have bounced back from their opening day 1-0 loss to Homeboyz to pick up wins against Wazito and Chemelil Sugar.
They come up against a Stima side that is yet to taste defeat this season having won two and drawn three of their opening five games of the campaign.
Ties between these two sides have been close. Over the last 20 meetings, AFC have won seven of them, Stima have won eight while the remaining five ended in draws.
Last season, AFC picked four points off the powermen, winning the first leg in Machakos 2-1 while the return tie in Kisumu ended in a barren draw.
Elsewhere, 14th placed Nzoia Sugar play host to Sofapaka at the Sudi Stadium in Bingoma seeking their second win of the season. Their only victory this season was a 2-0 success away to newly promoted Kisumu All Stars.
Sofapaka players celebrate Peter Lwassa’s early goal for Sofapaka during their Kenyan Premier League match against Bandari at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on October 6, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Sofapaka are coming into the tie with a confidence boost after their financial status was improved with betting firm Betika announcing an improved sponsorship package.
Batoto ba Mungu who have had a chequered start to the season won their last match 2-1 against Bandari before the international break and are looking to keep the momentum flowing.
“It was very good for us to win that game especially in terms of getting points and also to boost the morale of the players. We know that it will be a tough game against Nzoia because they have a very structured way of play with good speed on the wings, but our focus is on getting the three points,” tactician Divaldo Alves stated.
Sofapaka have seven points from five games and the coach has made it clear that his ambition is to ensure the team remains within striking range of the top sides.
KPL Saturday fixtures:
Tusker FC v Sony Sugar (10am), Wazito v Homeboyz (2pm), AFC Leopards v Western Stima (4pm) – Kenyatta Stadium Machakos, Bandari v Chemelil Sugar – Mbaraki, Kisumu All Stars v Mathare United – Moi Stadium Kisumu, Nzoia Sugar v Sofapaka – Sudi Stadium Bungoma, Ulinzi Stars v KCB – Afraha Stadium Nakuru, Zoo Kericho v Posta Rangers – Kericho Green Stadium.
