Kenya Police head coach Francis Baraza has thrown the gauntlet to his charges to step on the gas pedal, warning them they risk slipping off the title contention bracket.
The law enforcers are currently sixth on the log with 37 points, 12 adrift of leaders Gor Mahia but back-to-back draws have left them exposed and the tactician is tearing his hair off in search of solutions.
They face an uphill task against city rivals Nairobi City Stars at the Police Pavilion grounds on Wednesday in the Round of 24 Kenyan Premier League fixtures.
Baraza has rallied his players to punch above their weight and bounce back to their winning ways after sharing spoils with AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday and Wazito FC in Muhoroni a week ago. He is demanding nothing short of a win when they step onto the pitch for their next assignment.
“We are slipping in the battle for the title. Every game feels like a final at this point, and it gets harder when your competitors succeed. There is not much room for error. We need to step up and start winning the games we still have,” Baraza declared.
With a talent-laden squad brought on board over the last two seasons, the seasoned gaffer is spoilt for choice, but he is yet to justify the vast resources the management plunged into the transfer windows to recruit a stellar ensemble of players.
For instance against Leopards, Baraza benched several of his big guns, reiterating his desire to allow every squad member to showcase talent.
“Depending on the opposition we are up against, we make deliberate tactical adjustments, and each player eventually proves useful. This team has depth, so I’ve chosen to rotate the players and give everyone a chance to play.”
Buoyed by a string of impressive outcomes earlier in the season, Baraza reckons they still possess the mojo to assert authority on the cutthroat topflight stage.
He has now vowed to unleash his most potent weapons from the armory in a frantic quest for a maiden silverware. “At this point, all we need is a maturity component in our formation, particularly in our finishing.”
In other matches set for Wednesday, defending champions Tusker will flex muscles with Mathare United at Ruaraka grounds in Nairobi while Posta Rangers have a date with Bidco United in the same venue later in the day.
Leaders Gor Mahia who enjoy a four-point lead at the apex of the log, travel all the way to Mombasa to honour their fixture against Bandari at Mbaraki Grounds.
AFC Leopards will host Talanta at Nyayo Stadium while Kariobangi Sharks have some scores to settle with Kakamega Homeboyz at Police Sacco Stadium, Nairobi. Wazito hosts Nzoia Sugar at Muhoroni Stadium in Kisumu.
On Thursday, Sofapaka will square it off with Ulinzi Stars at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi in the encounter that will precede the one between KCB and Vihiga Bullets at the same venue.
