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The striker, who is currently on 21 league goals, missed a chance to score a hat-trick against Batoto ba Mungu but his boss is not losing patience with him
Kenya Police FC coach Francis Baraza has jumped to the defence of striker Elvis 'Machapo' Rupia after he missed missed a flurry of chances during their 3-0 win over Sofapaka.
Rupia, who is currently on 21 league goals, could have scored a hat-trick to put him just one goal shy of Benson Omala, who currently leads the scoring charts with 25.
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05:00 - 11.05.2023
FKFPL Gor Mahia’s Omala explains reason behind hot-goalscoring streak
Omala , who has been dubbed 'the Kenyan Haaland' explains why he has recorded such fine goalscoring form this season.
His bad day at the office was summed by the fact that he was subbed off in the 79th minute for Clinton Kinanga, who scored just seven minutes later, with what was virtually his first touch of the game.
“It just was not Rupia’s day. He had nearly three to four chances where he could have scored a hat-trick but it did not work. I am proud of his efforts but will encourage him to keep trying,” Baraza said.
“I have been trying to talk to him to help lift his spirits by telling him anything is possible.”
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13:03 - 11.05.2023
FKFPL Baraza reveals what motivated Kenya Police to victory against hard-fighting Sofapaka
The tactician was delighted by the attitude of his players who recorded a win despite not playing very well
Meanwhile, midfielder Kevin Mwaura, who returned to the pitch for the first time in 18 months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December 2021, came on as a 71st-minute substitute and was crucial in helping create Kinanga’s goal. The 2006 league-winning manager with Sony Sugar hailed his impact.
"Mwaura has just returned from injury. When I came into the team in December, he was still injured. When the transfer window opened two months ago, I had the opportunity to reduce the number of players I had whilst adding others," added Baraza.
“I had the option of releasing both he and (Daniel) Musamali but I wanted to give them time to recover and then give them the opportunity to show me what they could do.”
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“I have been patient with Mwaura and I feel proud that he has rewarded my patience in him, showing the quality of the depth in this team.”
Police will face Mathare United this Sunday, hoping to bridge the gap between fourth and first to just seven points should Gor Mahia lose to AFC Leopards the same day.
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