Muhoroni rue Ochomo-shaped hole in attack as KPL resumes

Muhoroni Youth FC Interim coach, Tom Juma has admitted suspended top scorer Wycliffe Ochomo’s firepower will be solely missed as they prepare to host Mathare United on Wednesday when the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) resumes after the international break.

The former Harambee Stars midfielder – who was appointed to replace veteran coach John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla – will be taking on his second stint as a stand-in boss this season having also been called upon when the team dismissed James Omondi in May.

With his ultimate acid test looming when he leads the Awasi-based club against league Gor Mahia FC in the KPL Top 8 finals on Sunday, Juma is already feeling the pinch of missing the league’s top scorer and match-winner.

“It’s a situation we have to accept as a team and it’s up to the other forwards to step up and fill his shoes. We’re yet to know how long he is supposed to serve his ban but without him the club must find a way to move on,” Juma told Citizen Digital.

The tactician served as an assistant before Ogolla was sacked on Friday in the wake of a spate of poor performances in the league they are placed ninth ahead of the Mathare clash.

“We’re looking to break into the top the top eight so each fixture is a must-win for us. Every team has its targets for the season and everyone is desperate to achieve them during these remaining five rounds; so it’s going to be tough.

“We’re facing at least five injury concerns in our squad so it will be tough on our side. We’ll have little recovery time ahead of our tougher test yet on Sunday so we have to be mentally prepared for that,” he added.

“Each game has something at stake in it so we must go for a win in each,” Juma emphasised.

He was quick to downplay the impact of the off-the-pitch wrangles between the playing unit and the club management in the second half of the season despite that has seen a season that promised a shock title challenge unravel in the last few weeks.

Muhoroni (33) are only six points the top four with Francis Kimanzi’s charges five points clear with five games to go.

 KPL ROUND 26 FIXTURES

Wednesday

Muhoroni Youth FC vs Mathare United

Friday

Ulinzi Stars vs AFC Leopards

Saturday

Ushuru FC vs Chemelil Sugar

Bandari vs Tusker FC

Posta Rangers vs Kakamega Homeboyz

Sony Sugar vs Sofapaka

Nairobi City Stars vs Thika United