Write us off at your own peril, City Stars warn Gor Mahia
Even with a tough match against Gor Mahia awaiting them on Saturday, relegation-threatened Nairobi City Stars still believe their fate in the Kenyan Premier League is not yet sealed.
The Kawangware-based side’s match against the league leaders at the Nyayo National Stadium follows a 2-0 win that they registered against Mathare United last weekend at the same venue.
While the victory did little to ease their relegation worries, it certainly injected confidence in the team that is now being coached by former Mathare United coach Gabriel “Kingi” Njoroge.
On Thursday Njoroge said it was premature to write off the team based on their position in the league, and that given a chance they can turnaround their fortunes.
“People should stop judging us based on statistics. We know Gor Mahia are very strong and that they are unbeaten. But we have to approach our matches with a positive mentality,’ Njoroge said.
Gambian striker Ebrimma Sanneh, who joined the team in July last year, has been the team’s brightest star although his input has been insufficient in the club’s course. Gor Mahia will miss the services of midfielder Khalid Aucho who is suspended for the match.
WINNING WAYS
On Sunday, ten-time champions Tusker will be keen to return to winning ways when they face KCB having failed to win in their last two matches.
The bankers on their part are still smarting from a 6-1 drubbing that they suffered at the hands of Gor Mahia on Sunday.
However, they will take comfort in the fact that they beat the brewers 1-0 in the first leg fixture three months ago.
KCB coach Elvis Ayany has admitted that his players are short of confidence after last weekend’s calamity.
“Last weekend’s loss had a damaging effect on the players’ confidence but I have told the players to stay focused and try to get at least a point from the match,” Ayany told Nairobi News.
In other matches scheduled for this weekend, Thika United will host Bandari in Thika while neighbours Western Stima and Muhoroni Youth will face off at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
Thirteen-time champions AFC Leopards have been exempted from league action this weekend, as they play their first round match of the GOtv Shield against Ligi Ndogo.
Saturday:
Thika United vs Bandari (Thika – 3pm)
Western Stima vs Muhoroni Youth (Kisumu – 3pm)
Gor Mahia vs City Stars (Nyayo – 3pm)
Sunday:
Mathare United vs Ushuru (Nyayo – 2pm)
Chemelil Sugar vs Sony Sugar (Kisumu – 3pm)
Tusker vs KCB (Nyayo – 4:15pm)