Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya Police head coach John “Bobby” Ogolla has warned his charges against slipping into any sort of complacency as they head into the second leg encounter of the Kenyan Premier League promotion/relegation playoffs against Vihiga United at the weekend.
The Nairobi-based law enforcers have their fingers firmly crossed in the hope that they will eventually surmount a stubborn Vihiga United side at the Ruaraka grounds on Sunday, in a do-or-die duel that will determine their fate in the coming season.
They exhibited great character and focus to emerge third behind FC Talanta and Vihiga Bullets in the just concluded National Super League season, effectively booking a berth in the tricky playoffs.
Police now have a glorious chance to realise their elusive dream of brushing shoulders with the big boys on the top-flight stage after squeezing out a crucial away point in the first leg at Mumias Complex on Sunday that gave them an advantage heading into the Nairobi tie.
But Ogolla has raised the red flag, saying they stand to be severely punished should they be misguided to rest on their laurels.
“Nowadays, I don’t believe there is anything like home advantage.
“You take your chances you do it, if you don’t you pay for it.
“So we are waiting for them in Nairobi and we are just going to fill in the gaps that I’ve seen today but I believe it’s nobody’s game until it is over.
“We got an early goal and I think that destabilised them a bit but they came back quickly and scored.”
Vihiga assistant coach Samuel Twago said he felt a little bit disappointed that they didn’t manage to secure all the three points at home but commended his side for putting up a good fight against the law enforcers.
“I’m happy with the 1-1 scoreline though we were at home and we were supposed to win and take maximum points. But that doesn’t matter anymore and now it’s all upon us as the coaches. We didn’t have the best preparations and so we knew there would be some lapses.
“We do appreciate the one point from the boys because we were under a lot of pressure in the final minutes of the game. This time round, we hope to do well because we have five days to prepare,” he said.
In the closely contested match at Mumias Complex on Sunday, Clinton Kinanga put the law enforcers ahead in the ninth minute after sliding to stab in an enticing cross into the six yard area.
However, a lapse in the defence afforded Lesley Otieno an easy opportunity to level terms in the 25th minute of play.
