Kisumu All Stars coach Andrew Aroka says their win against National Super League leaders Shabana will motivate his charges when they take on Murang’a Seal on Wednesday.
Aroka said: “St. Sebastian Park is a hostile hunting ground but my boys are psyched up. The win against Shabana has boosted their morale.”
“My target is to finish the first leg in the top three. I’m also confident we will be in contention for promotion,” he noted.
Aroka said he is keeping faith in his team and that is why he did not plunge into the market during the just-concluded transfer window despite losing Vincent Otieno to Kenyan Premier League side, KCB and Austin Wahongo to Sofapaka.
“We are currently ninth on the log which is not a good position for a team chasing promotion. We want six points from our two remaining (first-leg matches) against Murang’a Seal and Darajani Gogo,” noted Aroka.
On Sunday, Murang’a Seal drubbed third-placed Gusii FC 3-0 to end their poor run in the second-tier league. Gusii have now gone five games without a win.
Seal coach Vincent Nyaberi hopes his players will replicate their form against All Stars. If they win the game, they will cut Shabana’s lead to six points.
Meanwhile, Migori Youth will seek to extend their winning streak when they host Vihiga United at Migori Stadium in another rescheduled match.
At the same time, leaders Shabana have strengthened the squad by signing seven players in their push for promotion to KPL.
Shabana secretary general Elizaphan Kerama on Tuesday confirmed the addition of former NSL top scorer Cornelius Juma from Kenya Police, goalkeeper Mustapha Oduor from Mathare United and attacking midfielder Major Derima from little-known Malindi Progressive.
Earlier this month, the club raided Administration Police Service (APS) Bomet for goalkeeper Erick Ongiri and defender George Onyango. Midfielder Maurice Dukully returned to the Kisii-based side from Talanta while right-back, Eric Mutoro, joined from Silibwet.
“We are targeting to win the NSL with 70 points. We want to perform better than in the first leg since we have strengthened the team,” said Kerama.
The club has a tight schedule in April where they are scheduled to play six matches— three at home and three away. The NSL second leg kicks off on Saturday.
