The Slum boys have endured a seven match winless streak that was amplified by the 0-2 loss to relegation-threatened Sony Sugar last Sunday at the Camp Toyoyo Grounds.
Nyakeya, who netted a brace against Ingwe in the 3-4 loss in the first leg, is confident that they can overturn that result in Machakos.
“We have been conceding very early and that has been our major undoing. If we can keep it tight for the opening half hour then we stand a big chance of bagging maximum points because we will certainly score,” began Nyakeya.
“This calls for a collective effort from the team. Everyone is aware that he has a role to play when we lose the ball. We have to concentrate and communicate effectively on the pitch,” he underlined.
The speedy winger seems tp have finally found his breakthrough in his third season at the club having scored nine goals in 24 appearances. With one eye on the Golden Boot, he fancies scoring against AFC Leopards again.
“It has been a good season but I have not yet met my targets. It was nice scoring against them in the first leg so why not? The Golden Boot is still within reach so I have to keep scoring in the remaining matches,” he asserted.
Elvis Rupia, who joined Zambian side Power Dynamos in June, is the leading scorer in the league with 15 goals. Club top scorer Clifford Alwanga is third with 10 goals while Nyakeya is fourth.
Mathare United Head coach Francis Kimanzi has rued a slow start for the 0-2 loss to Sony Sugar at the Camp Toyoyo on Sunday.
Tobias Otieno’s first half brace set the Millers on course for a crucial win that eased their relegation worries steering them three points clear of the drop zone.
Reflecting on the overall team performance, Kimanzi admitted that his game plan was scattered by Otieno’s third minute opener and it was difficult to come back after he added his second at the half hour mark.
“The early goal destabilized us. You tend to think that you have a lot of time but that is not the case. It is always difficult for the players when you have to chase the game that early. We had to change a lot and I think they now realize it is important to have a good start,” assessed Kimanzi who is without a win in the last seven.
Tobias Otieno’s first half brace was all the Millers needed to bag maximum points on a day that the boys failed to turn up.
Otieno got the show started in the third minute with a long range drive that caught David Okello napping in goal as the ball flew into the top right.
The boys sought a way back but Kevin Omondi was well positioned to save from Cliff Nyakeya’s well struck shot at the edge of the box. Nyakeya turned provider moments later cleverly flicking the ball into the path of John Mwangi to complete a quick give and go between the pair but Mwangi contrived to head feebly at Omondi from close range.
They were almost punished when Collins Neto sneaked at the back post to prod home Ambrose Ayoyi’s low cross but his effort went narrowly wide. Then Enoch Agwanda forced Okello to a fingertip save with a rasping drive outside the area.
As the hosts struggled to find their rhythm, Otieno struck once again to double his side’s advantage. From 25 yards out, he spotted Okello off his line and produced a delightful lob to complete his brace.
Neto could have put the game beyond doubt shortly afterwards when he pounced on Ayoyi’s cross form the right with a first time volley that crashed onto the crossbar.
Both coaches made changes at the restart with Kimanzi introducing Tyson Otieno and Klinsman Omulanga while his opposite number Patrick Odhiambo summoned the speed of Clinton Omondi.
John Mwangi should have halved the deficit five minutes after the break when he found himself unmarked on the inside left channel but he found the side netting instead.
Another tactical battle ensued at the hour mark with Kimanzi sending Ahmed Ahmad into the fray while Odhiambo brought the experienced legs of Frederick Onyango to protect his lead.
With chances at a premium, Tyson Otieno took matters in his hands. He picked the ball on the outside left, slalomed past three green shirts but his final shot was well saved by Omondi in the Sony goal.
Meshack Karani could have stung his former employers at the death but his shot came off the upright although that did not matter for Odhiambo who avenged the 2-1 defeat at Awendo back in March.
The loss left the team at sixth place with 35 points and with waning chances of a top four finish. However Kimanzi is confident that he will weather the storm.