Wounded Wazito hopes to press their weight on Kariobangi Sharks as Sofapaka hosts KCB
Wazito FC owner Ricardo Badoer takes no prisoners whenever he notes that there is under-achievement either amongst the playing unit or technical bench staff.
Badoer is a disciplinarian to a fault and has no qualms sacking players and officials who do not meet the team’s benchmarks.
The Swedish mega-billionaire, a no-nonsense character, came out in his true colors in July 2020 when he sacked eleven players in a single day with Steven Njung’e, midfielder Teddy Osok, Victor Ndinya, Pistone Mutamba, Derrick Otanga and goalkeeper Kevin Omondi falling victims of the purge which caused a stir on social media.
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Also not spared were the foreign quartet of Ghanaian Paul Acquah, Pisces Kirenge, Liberian Augustine Otu and Isichon Borahane.
The reason? They were recruited without the approval of Badoer and their performance was “below par” and therefore had no place in a team of Wazito’s caliber.
Badoer’s deposition of rejects in the team started in October 2019 when he relieved off Fred Ambani his coaching duties and replaced him with Melis Medo who he subsequently sacked after just three matches at the helm.
Now, the man at the tiller of the star-studded team, which was the busiest in the transfer window, is former Harambee Stars trainer Francis Kimanzi who has started the 2021/22 Premier League on a sour note.
For all their troubles, Wazito, who lost 3-1 to Nairobi City Stars in Thika last Wednesday, have remained with a single point after three matches and it remains to be seen whether Kimanzi’s head will also be on the chopping board if the team’s slumps to Kariobangi Sharks in a round four fixture at Utlaii ground on Sunday.
All in all, there are a total of seven matches and to say that another pressure encounter is the one pitting battle-hardened sides Sofapaka against KCB the late kick-off in Thika the same day could be an understatement.
The match is a jigsaw puzzle of sorts as it shall pit two teams of the similar context of strength with two former Harambee Stars players in Ken Odhiambo (Sofapaka) and Zedekiah “Zico”Otieno leading their respective troops to ‘war’
KCB recently lost to Gor Mahia in a pre-season friendly but Otieno has insisted that this should not be used as a measuring rod to their capability in the new season.
“We know what we want and I have instructed the players to strive in firing at all cylinders. We missed last season’s title by a whisker and it is our intention to get one better,” said Otieno then.
Another match which is bound to have all ingredients of a thriller is the one between AFC Leopards and Bandari at Mbaraki Sports ground on Sunday.
-Charles Thuku
Gor Mahia and Tusker have been exempted from the fixture due to their engagement in continental assignments.
