Nationwide side Finlays FC are confident that they will beat Sofapaka in the weekend GOtv quarterfinal clash.
Dubbed as the underdogs, the Naivasha flowermen said the match will be a do-or-die affair, noting that they lost to the same team narrowly in 2007 during the final of the President’s Cup.
Finlays, formerly Homegrown FC, are the only Nationwide side in the last eight and the players are upbeat ahead of the much-awaited encounter.
On their way to the quarterfinals, the team beat Stima FC, KCB and later thrashed Bandari FC in their homeground in the Coast.
FeverPitch team visited them at their training ground in South Lake Naivasha yesterday and found the team preparing for the weekend match with the players promising fireworks.
Team coach Sammy Okoth said big names did not scare them as they had proven that they could defeat other teams in the KPL.
The former international said there are no injuries ahead of the Sofapaka clash, adding that the players are raring to go.
“We play as a unit and we are prepared for this weekend’s clash and without fear as we know we can make it,” he said.
Okoth, who once coached the nearby Karuturi Sports, attributed their success to local talent and giving upcoming players a chance to showcase their talent.
The tactician added that morale in the camp is high as the players had the belief that they could sail into the semis.
“We thank the Finlay management and our fans for the support they have given us and we promise to do our part,” he said.
The team captain Patrick Nzengo said they are focused forthe game and called on their supporters to turn up in large numbers.
The midfielder said they were confident that they would outdo the KPL team as they had proven in their last three matches.
Nzengo played tribute to senior players like Yusuf Siruma, Benlee Juma and Abdul Ramani for assisting the young players.
“We have a mixture of experienced and upcoming players who have talent and we hope for the best come Sunday,” he said.
In 2007, the two teams locked horns in the then President’s Cup with Sofapaka emerging the winners by a narrow margin of 2-1.
By ANTONY GITONGA, The Standard
