Mathare United's Roy Okal (left) is challenged by Whyvonne Isuza of AFC Leopards during Kenya Premier League (KPL) match at Kasarani stadium on Sept 27, 2017. [PHOTO/Standard]
As the Kenya Premier League enters the final stages, it is a relegation survival battle for some of the most decorated teams of the past.
The once lethal Mathare United are fighting the chop and will be hoping for good returns when they play Sofapaka today at the Narok Stadium.
With just four matches to go, the Slum Boys need to collect all the 12 points available to be guaranteed a place in next year's top flight football.
Ahead of today’s match, headcoach Francis Kimanzi has said that considering the quality of his players, his main objective has been to nurture them rather than fighting for the title.
“Every time you take a new job you can’t go in expecting the same experience you had in your previous one. When you are working with a team that has a good budget, your ambition will be different from when you are working with a team like Mathare.
“When I took this job at Mathare, I knew that I was about to start having a new experience so it is no surprise. I concentrated, not on winning the league, but on how I could nurture players and give them a head start in their careers,” he told the KPL website.
The coach has however insisted that he is not worried about relegation as they take on an on-form Sofapaka.
“ I am not scared about relegation. The important thing is to ensure they don’t lose games without learning anything from it, whether personal or as a team. I want that every time they get out on the pitch they learn something new,” he said.