Mathare is beatable, Bandari’s Odhiambo charges ahead of round 15

Bandari FC head coach Ken Odhiambo believes his team can bounce back from last week’s disappointment and win against a title chasing Mathare United on Saturday,  as the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) enters round 15 .

Bandari lost 2-0 to Tusker FC last weekend to drop to fourth in the league standings, and Odhiambo believes his charges have the mental strength to overcome the slum boys at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos.

“We are not looking at the position at the moment as a motivator for the title race. We are building a young team to be more compact next season. The position of the team at the log is not a factor to us at the moment even if we win tomorrow and move to third,” said Odhiambo.

The Dockers  will be without speedy winger Shaban Kenga, Fred Nkata, Faruk Shikali and Farid Mohammed who are nursing injuries ,with some subject to late fitness test.

A win for Bandari will see them move level on point with Mathare at 25 after 15 games, but Odhiambo knows just how difficult it is .

“We expect Mathare to play tough since they are an attacking team, they never sit back. About their top scorer (Cliford Alwanga with 7 goals), he is not the only threat   to us because football is a team game,” Odhimbo told Citizen Digital

Rodolfo Zapata will still be looking to get his first win as the AFC Leopards coach as his side squares it out with Nakumatt FC at the same venue.

The Argentine believes  Ingwe have the quality of players to fight for the title .

“AFC Leopards has a lot of young talent. Sometimes young players are inconsistent. I think the most important thing is to build these players to believe in themselves.

“My job is to impart and hold players accountable to the highest standard they can reach,” noted the tactician.

The coach underscored his concern for individual player development,  saying the same reflects to the overall team performance.

Zapata went on ; The way a team practice is often reflected in how the team or player plays in each game.  I want each player to work to improve himself and his teammates.  If they do that, the team benefits, and that is my chief concern.”

Nakumatt sits last in the 18-team log, with just 10 points from 14 outings.

In other matches, Sofapaka FC will host Zoo Kericho at the Narok Stadium while on Sunday Thika united will lock horns with Sony sugar at the Thika Municipal stadium .

Chemilil Sugar will travel to Bukhungu to face Kakamega Homeboyz while Vihiga United will host Wazito FC at Mumias  Sports Complex .

Eleven-time local champions Tusker will be at home against Kariobangi Sharks as Posta Rangers tackle Nzoia Sugar at Camp Toyoyo.

Saturday

Mathare United vs Bandari – 2PM – Machakos – Live on  ViuSasa.

AFC Leopards vs Nakumatt – 4:15PM – Machakos – Live on  ViuSasa.

Sofapaka vs Zoo FC – 3PM – Narok

Sunday 13th May

Sunday 

Thika United vs Sony Sugar FC – 3PM – Thika

Kakamega Homeboyz vs Chemelil Sugar FC – 3PM – Bukhungu

Vihiga United vs Wazito FC – 3PM – Mumias

Tusker FC vs Kariobangi Sharks – 3PM – Ruaraka

Posta Rangers vs Nzoia Sugar FC – 3PM – Camp Toyoyo

Additional information from KPL website.