Sofapaka captain, coach hopeful of beating Platinum FC

Sofapaka'S Abdoul Fiston in action during their CAF Confederation Cup match against Platinum Fc o Zimbabwe at Nyayo Stadium on 15-02-2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Sofapaka captain John Barasa believes Sunday’s season-opener win against Ushuru will motivate the team when they play FC Platinum of Zimbabwe in their Confederations Cup return match this weekend.

Sofapaka travel to Zimbabwe on Thursday eager to overturn a 2-1 loss registered in the first leg ten days ago.

But the veteran striker is confident they can turn around the first leg result in their bid to make it to the first round.

“Our league win against Ushuru was very important. Going into the match we had lost twice, first in the DSTV Cup against Gor Mahia and then against FC Platinum.

“When you lose twice, it can get to you and I believe the win over Ushuru has given us something positive as we prepare to play away to Platinum,” he said.

Baraza scored one of the two goals that downed Ushuru in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season opener at Machakos Municipal Stadium.

He said they will try and take advantage of their chances during the return match in Zimbabwe as they believe this is what cost them in the first leg.

“It is not over for us. If we can take advantage of our chances then we have a good opportunity of making it to the next round,” he explained.

It was a sentiment supported by coach Sam Timbe, who also believes they are still in the running for continental glory.

“If we can create the same number of chances that we did at home and use them, we should be able to turn around the result. We intend to open up our game in search of goals and hope that we can utilise the scoring opportunities killing off any counter-attack from our opponents,” explained Timbe.

He admitted the task of overturning the 2-1 loss remains difficult but not impossible.

“It is normal that we will take time to get used to playing away. Being away is difficult because your opponents tend to have some advantage and so generally, it is a tricky match for us,” he pointed out.

Regarding Sunday’s win in the season opener, the Sofapaka tactician said these results while important for them may have no bearing on how they play away.

“This is a different match and we have to approach differently. The league win over Ushuru was important but we cannot focus on it now,” he said.

Sofapaka must score three goals without reply to be able to make it to the first round of the competition.

 

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