NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 25 – AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems has lauded Kenya Police for playing a modern style of football after their 1-0 win over the law enforcers in a Kenya Premier League match on Wednesday afternoon at Nyayo Stadium.
Aussems has previously complained about the long ball tactics – known in local lingo as ‘kupura’ – deployed by many teams in the top tier league but admits he was left impressed by his opponents’ tenacity in the face of defeat.
“I have to say that it is a long time since I last saw a good game of football in the Kenyan Premier League. Police played a good brand of football and all the other teams (in the KPL) should know what I am talking about. They kept trying to score after going behind. I hope the fans enjoyed a good afternoon of football from both sides,” the Dutchman said.
Key striker Ojo Olaniyi was on hand to tap in a Cliff Nyakeya cutback in the 71st minute to give Ingwe the lead after a period of sustained attacks against the Police backline.
The Nigerian could have bagged a brace on the day but wilted under pressure from an onrushing Job Ochieng in the law enforcers’ goal, instead heading wide after a curled cross from the right by Nyakeya.
The win makes it three in three for the felines who last won the top-tier league in 1998.
Aussems, who has also coached Tanzanian giants Simba SC, was bullish about his team’s progress, pointing out that Ingwe continue to discredit the naysayers who have been criticizing the team after their loss to Bidco United and Wazito FC.
“There were a section of those who were talking stupidly about the team’s chances after that loss. However, we knew our mistakes and kept working to rectify them and now here we are. Last season, we never won three matches in a row and I told the players that they need to show everybody that they have improved immensely since last season,” Aussems said.
Next up is a crunch fixture against arch-rivals Gor Mahia at the same venue on Sunday.
Regardless of the significance fixture, Aussems insists he wants to take it one game at a time but has promised Ingwe fans of unlimited entertainment on the pitch as AFC seek the maximum points against their ‘Shemejis’.
“Of course, I know that for both sets of fans, the match is important for them. For us, it is a game like any other…against any other team. We are taking it one game at a time but for sure we will try to keep the fans as entertained as possible,” he said.
Afandes’ inconsistency
His opposite in the dugout, Francis Baraza, bemoaned his charges’ inconsistency from match to match.
“It is puzzling because in the last game we were all guns blazing but then today most of the things we tried never came off quite well. It is something we need to work on…you saw even the goal we scored, it was a matter of them dispossessing us in our own half and it cost us,” the former Chemelil Sugar tactician said.
Baraza, who has now tasted the defeat for the first time since he took the reins from Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo, is hoping to pick the boys us before their next duel against Tusker FC.
“In every football match, there are always three outcomes: a draw, win or a loss. Today, we have lost and the onus on us is to prepare for the next game (against Tusker). That is where our focus is as at now,” he said.
In other midweek matches, defending champions Tusker were held to a 0-0 draw by Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani Annex.
Nairobi City Stars continued their resurgence with a solitary goal against Wazito as surprise package Nzoia Sugar beat Vihiga Bullets 2-1.
Bottom-placed Mathare United notched their first win of the season, a 3-1 away win against Bidco United whereas Kariobangi Sharks defeated Bandari by a solitary goal.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Posta Rangers ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
