‘Avoid losing the match’ is the mantra SportPesa Premier League title-chasing Bandari will employ when they face an unpredictable Sony Sugar today at the Awendo Green Stadium.
Bandari, who are two points behind league leaders Sofapaka, will ascend to the top of the log should they dissolve Sony. However, according to their coach Bernard Mwalala, his side will be keen to avoid defeat rather than focus on going top of the table.
Mwalala described Awendo as a tough hunting ground for visiting teams and termed a win or a draw as a welcome result in their quest to claim the elusive league title. “I have told my players to avoid losing the match at all costs. We have to get at least a win or a draw here which it’s a plus for us. It’s always tough in Awendo but we have to forget about going on top of the table and focus on achieving our target for the match.”
Their efforts to avoid bowing to Sony will, however, be slowed by the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo who is away in Nairobi with Harambee Stars preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday but Mwalala is not worried by his unavailability.
“I have two goalkeepers who will muscle to replace him today. It’s an opportunity for whoever will start to show why he should not be benched in our next matches.”
