Manoah picks positives despite Mara Sugar squandering two-goal lead against Sofapaka

Mara Sugar FC head coach Edward Manoah chose to focus on the positives despite his side letting slip a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2–2 draw against Sofapaka FC in a dramatic FKF Premier League clash at Dandora Stadium.

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The experienced tactician expressed satisfaction with his team’s improved attacking display, noting that scoring goals had been their biggest challenge in recent outings.

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"How we expected them to play and how we prepared is exactly how it turned out. We tried to contain them in the first half, and we worked on our goal scoring, which we managed to do today, and that’s one positive thing I can draw from the match,” Manoah told Azam TV.

The Trans Mara Sugar Company Limited-backed outfit had endured a tough spell in front of goal before the Sofapaka clash.

Prior to Tuesday’s encounter, the 2023/24 National Super League (NSL) champions had managed just two goals all season from their matches that included drawing 0–0 with Kakamega Homeboyz on the opening day, losing 1–0 to newcomers Nairobi United, and finally breaking their drought in a 2–1 victory over Ulinzi Stars.

Their struggles resurfaced in a barren draw against Bidco United, highlighting a worrying lack of cutting edge in attack.

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The four-goal thriller against Sofapaka, therefore, marked a notable improvement, as it was only the second time the Sugar Millers had found the net this campaign, bringing their total tally to four goals, the third-lowest in the league so far.

Despite the attacking positives, Manoah lamented the manner in which his side conceded, particularly the late equaliser that came through defensive lapses.

Goalkeeper Stephen Otieno was at fault for Sofapaka’s second goal after misjudging a floated ball into the box, allowing substitute Joseph Kuloba to pounce and tap home the leveller.

“We were unlucky; we conceded two goals, which, as a coach, we will look at the clips again, but I think the goals we gave away were easy goals, which were schoolboy mistakes.

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The other part we’ll analyse to ensure such mistakes don’t repeat. Maybe it’s part of a learning process, but at least we have a point to build on for the next game,” he added.

Mara Sugar will be hoping to tighten up defensively and maintain their improved attacking momentum when they host Bandari FC on Saturday, 1 October, at the Awendo Green Stadium.