Struggling KCB face plucky Sofapaka in Machakos

Kenya Commercial Bank’s caretaker coach Elvis Ayany will be riding on nothing but hope as he takes his struggling side to Machakos on Wednesday for their Kenyan Premier League duel against Sofapaka.

The bankers’ poor start to the season has seen them register six crushing defeats in nine matches with just one win, leaving them 14th on the standings.

Ayany told Nation Sport that they have been working on their weaknesses and that they will recover from the rough patch and get back on track in time.

Even with the team evidently struggling in the absence of ailing coach Rishadi Shedu, Ayany was quick to quash any doubts that they will be trapped in the relegation battle like last season.

“People are quick to speak about our plight because they are only looking at the results. It is true that we have not begun the league as we would have wanted, but if you look at our matches you will find that we are not always overpowered by the opponents,” he said.

Ayany expects the return of on-loan Simba SC striker Paul Kiongera from a year-long injury lay-off to boost his attack against the 2014 domestic Cup holders.

Batoto ba Mungu have blown hot and cold in their opening eight fixtures, with only three wins, four draws and one loss but have not lost at home this year.

A win over KCB would take Sam Timbe’s charges, who currently sit seventh with 13 points, to fourth.

MOMENTUM

Sofapaka’s assistant coach David Ouma said that they are building on the momentum they have created in the last four matches where they have been on a roll.

“We have not lost in the last four games and this is a statistic that we want to build up on positively. This is an important fixture because if we manage to get ourselves within the top five positions then the boys will be even more motivated ahead of our next matches,” he said.