KCB's Nashon Wekesa during a previous match/ HANDOUTKCB FC first assistant coach Paul Ogai has called for a sharper edge in front of goal as the bankers look to fine-tune their attack ahead of the league’s resumption this weekend.
The bankers currently sit fifth on the log with six points from four matches. KCB kicked off their campaign on a bright note, dispatching Tusker 2-0 in their opener, before being edged 1-0 by Mathare United.
They bounced back with a gritty 1-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks, thanks to Richard Omondi’s decisive 36th-minute strike. Their most recent outing, however, ended in frustration as they fell 1-0 to record champions Gor Mahia, courtesy of Felix Oluoch’s 61st-minute goal.
Ogai, reflecting on the opening rounds, admitted that the side’s biggest shortcoming lies in their attacking department. “We need to improve on our attack during the international break,” Ogai said.
He pointed out that the team has struggled to find the back of the net despite creating decent chances. “If you look at our previous matches, against Tusker we scored two goals but missed a few chances."
"We then lost 1-0 to Mathare, edged Sharks 1-0 and against Gor Mahia, we couldn’t score despite several opportunities,” he explained. Despite their attacking bluntness, Ogai took heart from the team’s defensive solidity, having conceded just two goals so far.
“Our defence is okay. The only area that really needs improvement now is our attack,” he said. On the clash with Gor Mahia, the tactician lamented the team's wastefulness in front of goal.
“Even though Gor had more of the ball in the first half, we tried to hit them on the counter. We broke into their half two or three times but just couldn’t convert,” he noted.
“In the second half, we gave it our all, but Gor Mahia are a quality side and made it tough for us.”
Ogai admitted that victory over K’Ogalo would have been a massive morale booster heading into the break. “We wanted to win that match so we could go into the international break on a high, but it didn’t work out. We’ll need to put in more effort in training,” he added.
KCB’s next assignment is a tricky fixture against AFC Leopards on Sunday. Leopards, still struggling to find their rhythm, sit 15th on the log with just two points from their opening two matches. They began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka before being held 2-2 by Posta Rangers. Last season’s meetings between the two sides produced contrasting fortunes.
Leopards romped to a 4-0 victory in the first leg courtesy of a Kelly Madada brace and goals from Ovella Ochieng and Kennedy Owino, before the reverse fixture ended in a goalless stalemate.
