Sofapaka head coach, David Ouma, reckons sharpening their blunt attack line will make them charge effectively for the Kenyan Premier League title next season.
Ouma said they have used a series of friendly matches to identify and rectify their weak spots on the pitch, but they still have to refine their finishing to have a razor-sharp striking force.
The 2009 KPL champions have been struggling to assert authority in recent years. Their unimpressive run in the preceding season claimed the scalp of head coach Ken Odhiambo and the bulk of the playing unit.
Ouma spoke a day after they were held to a barren draw by topflight rivals KCB in a pre-season friendly match at the KCB Leadership Centre.
“We are now doing very well in building up play from the back, and that is something worth noting. The only setback we've been experiencing and which requires urgent attention is to capitalize on all the chances we create in the game. Football is a game of moments but hardly make our attacking moments count,” Ouma said.
Ouma has, however, extolled his charges for getting part of the script right.
“I am happy with my team because they have been executing some of the things we've practiced very well. For example against KCB, we pressed well throughout the game and managed to contain them,” Ouma said.
He added: “Our opponents put us under the pump, particularly in the first half but we managed to contain the pressure. Playing a team like KCB and not conceding reflects well on our defensive capabilities.”
Meanwhile, KCB head coach Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno has dared his charges to step on the gas pedal before the start of the new season.
“We have been playing pretty well. We usually control the game but there is still a lot of work to be done in front of the goal. That is a challenge to us to keep on working hard,” Otieno said.
The bankers' skipper Michael Mutinda is, however, predicting a promising season, noting that their newly acquired players possess the mettle to power them to a maiden KPL title.
“We have had a good campaign thus far and the arrival of new players has strengthened our squad. We hope the coming season will be ours to take home,” Mutinda said.
KCB have been on imperious form in pre-season, winning 17 out of the 18 friendly matches they have played to date.
According to the fixtures released by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Transition Committee, the bankers will open their account against city rivals Kariobangi Sharks at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
