We never stuck to the game plan, Kenyatta laments

Ushuru head coach Ken Kenyatta believes that his charges didn’t play according to their game plan hence going down 2-1 in their first leg playoff match against Ushuru at the Thika Sub-County Stadium on Thursday.

In interview with Citizen Digital, Kenyatta said that they never expected a difficult game as they had their mentality set on winning.

“They (Thika) really came hard given the fact they were at home. We had to dig deep because our game plan never fell to plan,” Kenyatta said, adding: “So we hard to fall to simpler methods of playing, and I think luck was not on our side this time.”

“Some of my key players especially in defence were missing but I am optimistic come Sunday we will deliver .We will have a stronger squad than the one we started with,” the tactician explained.

At the same time, Thika United head coach, Nicholas Muyoti, is optimistic his team will maintain their spot in the top flight come Sunday when they face Ushuru in the return leg.

“I thank God for the win, it was a difficult one but I thank my boys for being composed despite Ushuru equalizing in the dying minutes. Most important is that we’ve won the game,” Muyoti said.

Muyoti has however warned against complacency ahead of the return leg. “Our game plan is basically to score a goal or two and make sure we don’t concede. I know it’s going to be difficult because they will be having the home ground advantage but we are up to the task.”

Thika had Nigerian import Onwudi Chibueze to thank for notching the winner, late into the game; and his coach singled him out for praise.

“Chibueze has been instrumental in our team, his power and pace will be key in us retaining top flight status. I hope on Sunday he will replicate his outstanding performance,” Muyoti added.