Mathare United striker Clifford Alwanga is keen to rekindle his pursuit for the Golden Boot with at least a goal against Sony Sugar on Sunday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Alwanga, who joined the club in January from Tusker, has rediscovered himself at Mathare United where he has scored ten goals in 24 appearances; a feat that has left him just five goals behind the league’s leading scorer Elvis Rupia.
With Rupia having moved from Nzoia Sugar to Zambian side Power Dynamos, Alwanga has set his sights on ending his four match goal drought and stake a claim on the top scorer gong.
“I know I have a big chance (of winning it) because the difference is only five goals and we have ten matches to go. It will be a big achievement considering that this is my first season here and I didn’t perform well last season,” said an optimistic Alwanga.
“I have not been scoring recently and it really pains me because that is my job as a striker. I am very strong mentally and I have been working on that in training. So it is now about burying the chances that come my way,” he added.
It was put to him that his goal drought has coincided with a slump in the overall team performance that has seen them go for six matches without a win. His response took in the dismal defensive record throughout that streak as well as the need to win on Sunday.
“We have been scoring goals as a team but we have also been conceding. We just need to avoid conceding and we will start winning matches. If we can keep a clean sheet on Sunday then we stand a high chance of bagging the maximum points,” assert Alwanga.
He will draw confidence from his first leg exploits against the Millers where he scored the equalizer in the 2-1 win at Awendo in March.
Mathare United keeper Emmanuel Otieno has been ruled out of Sunday’s league match against Sony Sugar after suffering a head injury in training.
Otieno, who joined the club in June from Nairobi City Stars, has shown steady progress in training but has failed to break into the match day squad with head coach Francis Kimanzi preferring Job Ochieng’ and David Okello ahead of him.
During Wednesday’s morning session, he crashed his head on the post while attempting to save a dipping shot from Daniel Mwaura. Team physiotherapist Wycliffe Omom has confirmed that he will not be available for selection against the Millers.
“He has a deep cut on his head which had to be stitched. He will be out for at least one week. He had mild symptoms of concussions so we have to monitor him carefully,” advised Omom who holds a similar role at the national team.
Otieno will now join long term absentee Abubakar Keya (knee) on the sidelines. His absence means Kimanzi will only have two goalkeepers, Okello and Ochieng’, for selection against the Millers.
tickets for Mathare United home match against Sony Sugar will be sold at KES 100. Mathare who are yet to taste victory in seven matches will be facing Sony who beat Sofapaka 2-0 at Awendo Stadium on July 15th.
The Slum Boys last won their match against Zoo at Camp Toyoyo and lost against Wazito and Posta Rangers.
1-1 draws against Ulinzi Stars, Thika United and Vihiga United marks Francis Kimanzi boy’s results in the recent outings.
Sony has twenty-four points so far from twenty-three matches. They have five wins in the current season.