Kenyatta warns Nakumatt ahead of crunch playoff ties

After losing to Thika United in the last year’s Kenya Premier League (KPL) promotion playoffs, Ushuru FC head coach Ken Kenyatta is hoping to get it right this time when his side confronts Nakumatt FC for the final KPL slot.

The taxmen finished third in the National Super League to book dates with Nakumatt who finished 16th in the topflight league, on October 21 and 28 respectively.

In the final day of the second tier league, Ushuru battled to a 1-1 draw against Bidco United to finish above of Nairobi Stima who were stunned 4-1 by KCB with the latter snatching the other KPL slots alongside Western Stima.

Kenyatta says the determination his charges have shown to return to KPL in their recent matches will be key in overcoming Nakumatt.

“After missing out the automatic places, we find ourselves in the same situation like last year but we don’t have any pressure. I know we will make it because it was our dream to get back to the topflight this year and we are still on course,” said the seasoned tactician.

In last year’s playoffs, Ushuru lost with an aggregate of 2-1 to now relegated Thika, and Kenyatta notes the experience makes him more strategic for this season.

“We have intensified our training ahead of the training and we are ready to face our opponents. It will be a tough fixture and I know our opponents too are working hard to remain in the league but we will see. We felt the pain last year, we have to manage these two matches wisely,” he averred.

The venues for the matches are yet to be disclosed but the two teams will have a coin toss presided over by Fotball Kenya Federation (FKF) on Tuesday to determine who starts at plays home first.

Nakumatt were forced to contend for a place in KPL in the 2018/2019 after being humbled 2-0 by Vihiga United in their season finale, finishing a place below Posta Rangers with 37 points.