REDEMPTION TIME: Ushuru seek to redeem themselves and end losing streak against Tusker

KRA's George Mwangi driibles the ball past Tusker's Khalid Aucho during their KPL match at Kinoro stadium,in Meru on 11-05-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Motivating a team that has lost seven matches in a row is a difficult undertaking.

However, this is the position Ushuru coach Ken Kenyatta finds himself in ahead of today’s fixture against Tusker at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

After a bright start to the league, Ushuru, who were formally known as Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), have endured a torrid second leg, going on a seven-match losing streak.

The latest loss was a narrow 3-2 defeat by Sofapaka last Thursday at the Machakos Municipal Stadium.

Coach Kenyatta remains hopeful he can turn around their bad fortunes insisting his team was affected by injury to key players.

SUFFERED INJURIES

“By and large, we have suffered due to injuries on majority of our first-team players but we remain focused on a top eight finish,” he said.

Former Gor Mahia midfielder Ivan Anguyo has been instrumental in helping Ushuru post positive results and he remains one of their key players as they take on Tusker this evening.

Anguyo is good at set-pieces around the goal area and Tusker defenders will be well advised not to concede any fouls here.

Godfrey Kataka is another key player who will come in handy to lift up Ushuru from the crisis they find themselves in.

The team did well in the first leg where they collected more than 30 points, putting relegation fears out of the question.

The match gives Tusker an opportunity to ensure a top-three finish in the league. The brewers have had a disappointing season after squandering an opportunity to go top a few weeks ago when leaders and champions Gor Mahia were away in Rwanda during the Cecafa Club Championships. 

It is a disappointment shared by the club’s top management who have however backed coach Francis Kimanzi to continue at the helm.

MAJOR CHANGES

“We would have wanted to do better considering there was a chance to go top of the log when Gor Mahia were away. It is disappointing but we still think Francis Kimanzi has done a wonderful job. Granted, we would have wanted to win the title but we have to accept the fact that the coach has brought major changes into the team,” he said.

City Stars have perhaps the last chance to ensure survival as they take on Muhoroni Youth at Kasarani. The match kicks off at 8p.m.

The Kawangware-based side fell 2-0 to Sony Sugar last weekend with coach Robinson Ofwoko once again blaming match officials for the poor results.

But Ofwoko must start winning instead of always blaming referees whenever the team goes down.

Muhoroni Youth have a perfect chance to ensure a top eight finish with victory away today and will be keen to take advantage of it.