We are ready for Posta Rangers, says Ulinzi Stars keeper James Saruni

Ulinzi Stars custodian James Saruni has warned Posta Rangers to expect a tough contest as morale is at an all-time high in the military side’s camp ahead their Kenyan Premier League clash on Wednesday.

The two side clash from 3pm at the Afraha Stadium in what is expected to be a close contest and Saruni has issued a war-cry insisting that they are going for nothing short of a win.

“We have our goal which is to be champions and we have to fight for it. We finished second last term and so we have to go one step further,” Saruni said.

With three games in hand, Ulinzi have seen leaders Tusker, at 44 points, open up a 12-point gap over them and Saruni believes that they have their work cut out when they trudge on the pitch.

“We are psyched up for the game and morale is very high. We are from Rwanda where we did well and we want to win.”

Suspended John Mark Makwatta will join injured Eric Apul and Churchill Muloma in following the match from the terraces but Saruni insists there is able cover.

Assistant coach Benjamin Nyangweso is likely to step up for his boss, Robert Matano who is unwell.

At the same time, Posta coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has said that the return to fitness of his lead goal poacher Timothy Otieno is a boost and expects him to pick from where he’d left prior to an injury lay off.

“He (Otieno) is an important player for us and every coach would want their best players available,” Zico said.

Otieno was on the mark on Sunday to hand the mail men a slender 1-0 win over Sofapaka and will feature prominently.

Zico, will, however, miss striker Dennis Mukaisi who is still nursing an injury.

Elsewhere, Thika United tactician James Nandwa wants his boys not to underrate the threat posed by Bandari as they collide in another mid-week league fixture Wednesday.

Thika will be without Hamisi Mwinyi and Vincent Omumbo while skipper Dennis Odhiambo is also a doubt.

“Everybody wants to win and if we get an opportunity to score we need to use it. We must not underrate them (Bandari) since it will be a tough match,”Nandwa said on Tuesday.

The dockers, still smarting from a horrendous first leg run, will be without key defender Mohammed Sherrif who is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards but Dan Sserunkuma is poised to lead the line.

FIXTURES

Thika United v Bandari – Thika (3pm)

Ulinzi Stars v Posta Rangers – Afraha (3pm)