Charles Nyende
6 November 2009
Nairobi — Sofapaka coach Robert Matano on Friday declared his club intended to end the Kenyan Premier League race on Saturday when they clash with relegation-battling Red Berets at Afraha Stadium.
The league leaders need just one point from the tie to mathematically guarantee the title with a game in hand. But Matano is looking at more than just securing the title, he wants to win it emphatically. "I can tell you we will get points tomorrow (Saturday). That is our intention. But we are not going for one point. We are going for all three points," he said on Friday.
Sofapaka have led the league table for most of the season displaying some attractive, positive football and now hold their fate in their hands. "Yes, we know we are at the top of the league table and we intend to stay there," Matano confidently said.
The Christian-based club are without any injuries but will miss the services of suspended Tafadza Dondo and Jacob Keli. Matano can, however, look to the league's second top scorer John Baraza, who has plundered 13 goals so far, and the DR Congo pair of Bob Mugalia and Patrick Kagogo to break down the Red Berets' defence.
Berets will be no push-overs though. They desperately need the three points to survive in the top league and have shown they can hold their own against any of the big boys of Kenyan club football.
Second placed Mathare United, six points adrift Sofapaka, are still very much in the running, mathematically, and must win their last two matches while hoping Sofapaka register opposite results.
The slum boys are away to Western Stima needing maximum points to keep their tiny window of hope open. "We just need to concentrate on our game and win and hope Sofapaka stumble," Mathare captain Antony Kimani said. The champions recovered from an inauspicious start to the season to become the title contenders that they are.
Promising run
Mathare are without Andrew Oyombe, who is suspended, but can look to the evergreen Titus Mulama for inspiration. Third placed Tusker will be wondering what went wrong after a promising run in the league.
They are out of contention as they face Thika United away on Sunday without four suspended players, Humphrey Okoti, Collins Okoth, Boniface Oluoch and Fredrick Ajwang. Tusker coach James Nandwa was philosophical about their down turn.
"This is football. Sometimes you lose matches you did not expect to lose and you cannot explain how that happened. We will work hard to finish the league well," Nandwa said. Winners of the KPL win earn the single slot for Kenya in the CAF Champions League.
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