Bragging rights at stake as SUSA take on Ping in the Oboya Cup third-place playoff

Bragging rights are at stake when South B United Sports Academy (SUSA) tackle the Dagoretti based Team Ping in the Patrick Oboya Cup third place playoff on Saturday at the Police Band grounds.

SUSA who were favorites to clinch the Cup organized by former Kenyan international Patrick Oboya and sponsored by the leading betting firm Mozzart Bet failed to live up to the expectation after falling 2-0 to Rongai United in the semifinals played last week.

Ping on the other hand lost by a similar scoreline to a ten man MUFYA who will take on Rongai in what is expected to be a thrilling final on Sunday 12 December at the same venue.

SUSA head coach John Mandela settled on lack of experience in his camp for the semifinal heartbreak but tipped the boys to give their fans who are set to fill in the grounds something to smile about.

Mandela revealed that he was forced to field a class eight pupil in Frank Marende to plug in the gaps in the midfield occasioned by the unavailability of some key players.

While giving former national U-20 attacker Enock Wanyama as some of his players who were poached by clubs from the country's four tiers, Mandela said their exit was felt throughout the tournament but at the same time expressed satisfaction for grooming them to greatness.

 " My team is largely made up of young and new players after most of the members of the unit we had before left for greener pastures. Basically we are in the process of rebuilding and I must say, I am satisfied with the progress the boys have had. We lost the semis due to lack of experience but we are hopeful of at least finishing third, " he said.

While Mandela attributed their exit to lack of experience, his Ping counterpart Alex Kibeno was still vexed with the wastefulness his forwards had in front of goal against Rongai in the semis.

Kibeno said they had an opportunity to kill the game early from the chances created and the numerical advantage they enjoyed but ended up bowing out. 

However, the tactician who was also dissatisfied with the levels of officiating says nothing will heal their bruised egos better than a third place finish. 

"This is a chance for us to redeem ourselves from the semis loss. We badly wanted to sail to the final but lack of cutting edge in the final third and poor officiating cost us. We have prepared well and hopefully we will win the match," he said.