Winless Shabana, AFC Leopards lock horns as rchamps Gor Mahia host tricky KCB

Shabana FC coach Sammy Okoth believes his players will not let him down when they face AFC Leopards in a crucial Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League fixture at Ulinzi Complex on Sunday.

‘Tore Bobe’ have had a disastrous return to the top-flight where they remain winless from the opening four matches. They suffered two defeats and picked two draws. The most worrying factor is how they have been conceding goals in the closing stages of the matches they have played so far.

Ahead of the fixture against Ingwe, who are also winless from four matches, coach Okoth told People Sports: “The team is in good spirits and I believe my players will not let me down again against AFC Leopards. It is a collective responsibility from the technical bench to the players and we must all stand up to be counted.”

Asked what he has done to rectify the situation of conceding goals at the death, Okoth said: “We have worked round the clock to address the weakness, as a coach I am not happy with how we concede goals and it is something we embarked to solve from the day we lost to Kariobangi Sharks, we talked to the players and I hope they will not disappoint me again.”

Striker Enock Agwanda, who signed for the Glamour Boys on transfer deadline day as a free agent after leaving Kakamega Homeboyz will likely make the matchday squad for the trip to the capital while Okoth confirmed defender Rogers Aloro, who picked a knock against Sharks is fit and available to start against Ingwe.

While Okoth is burdened with the headache of getting Shabana’s first win, his compatriot Tom Juma is also in the spotlight as AFC only scored their first goals of the season in the 2-2 draw against Kenya Police.

The 46-year-old Juma is under scrutiny from Ingwe faithful, who have already demanded his resignation, but according to the former international, Ingwe are smelling their first victory against Shabana.

“We have not had the best start of the season, that one I accept, but I want to assure the fans the team is ready to start winning matches against Shabana,” said Juma, adding: “We signed 15 players and putting them together as not been easy, but we are building a good side and am confident positive results will be out soon.”

Cliff Miheso and Kevin Kimani were handed their first starts against the law enforcers and coach Juma would likely retain the duo while Victor Omune, who has recovered from a knee injury, will be in contention to start for the first time this season.

After defeating Muhoroni Youth 1-0 in their last assignment, Tusker will play away to FC Talanta at Ruaraka grounds on Sunday with coach Robert Matano confirming the return of seven players from injury. The seven include Ibrahim Joshua, Eric Mmata, Sakari Dan, Adikinyi Fabian, John Njuguna, captain Charles Momanyi, and Tom Teka.

“I am happy to see our injured players returning to the squad and it will give us the boost we want to chase for the league title,” said Matano.