Sharks aim for strong finish as KCB seek to keep title charge alive

• Sharks are placed fifth in the standings with 41 points
• Muluya hopes for a top five finish
• KCB have been performing poorly but hope for a rise

Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya hopes his side can finish the FKF Premier League season strongly, with eight matches left before the season comes to a close.

Muluya says he is proud of how his team has performed so far, and believes they need to step stronger for the final lap of the season.

Sharks are placed fifth in the standings with 41 points and the tactician hopes they can maintain the position or even do better in the final eight rounds of matches.

“Our target is actually to play well in each game. It is now all about giving everyone a chance and belief on those who have not played. We need to be mentally strong, play well with our hearts out,” Muluya stated,

He has at the same time paid glowing tribute to his young side for maintaining a positive run, and says the belief has been growing game by game.

Kariobangi Sharks players celebrate a goal in a past match

“I believe they have been growing game by game because there are matches where we have done well and let go in the second half. They are learning with every match we play and I believe when it comes a time when they will be on top form, we will have a good team,” he said.

Sharks face Posta Rangers at the Kasarani Annex on Saturday afternoon, looking to clinch three points and skip into fourth place. Muluya expects a tough duel against Posta, a side they beat 1-0 when they met last time.

The mailmen are placed two spots down in the standings with a two point gap and Salim Ali will be eager to beat a tactician who he worked with as a team manager at Mathare United to get his team into the top five.

However, whether any of the two sides moves into the top five will be dependent on the result Gor Mahia posts against KCB. The two sides lock horns at the Thika Sub-County Stadium, each on a run of poor results.

Both have picked a point in the last two, KCB against Sharks and Gor against Tusker.

KCB players in a past match

Both sides still retain mathematical chances of fighting for the Premier League title, though the chances look slim with a huge gap between them and leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

KCB tactician Zedekiah Otieno, who will be facing his former employers, says the team will not lose hope on fighting for the crown.

“Mathematically we are still there and we will fight until it is no longer possible. We know it is tough but we have to keep working. Right now, the most we can do is work on the mentality of the players. There is no amount of training that can improve where we are now. It is just in the heads of the players that we need to put right,” said the coach.

Meanwhile in other fixtures, Nairobi City Stars, another side with Premier League title ambitions will play host to Sofapaka at the Ruaraka Complex. City Stars are nine points behind Homeboyz and a win will be crucial for their title charge, hoping Homeboyz drop points against Kenya Police on Sunday.