Baraza reveals ruthless reason for dropping Elvis Rupia

© Kenya Police FC

FKF PL Baraza reveals ruthless reason for dropping Elvis Rupia

Mark Kinyanjui 21:58 - 12.04.2023

Rupia is the league's second-top scorer with 16 goals.

Kenya Police FC head coach, Francis Baraza insists that he dropped his top scorer Elvis Machapo Rupia for failing to score in the last two games. 

Rupia, who has been in red-hot goalscoring form for the Law Enforcers this season, came off the bench to score two goals, after going two games without scoring. 

Baraza insists that dropping him for Simiyu was a 'punishment' for failing to score over two games.

“Otanga is a good goalscorer. Machapo had not scored for two games. I dropped him for this reason. We failed to score against Wazito and AFC Leopards.

“There are things he does that he was not doing in these couple of games. I told him I’d be punishing him by dropping him and asked him to watch from the bench today in order to have him remind himself of these fundamentals.”

Baraza however added he was happy with the application of some of his second string players, having opted to bench some key members of his squad, including hitman Elvis Machapo Rupia in the 4-2 victory over Nairobi City Stars.

“I was trying to give some of my fringe players some game time to see what they would do,” he said, “Football is a squad game. The likes of (David) Simiyu had been out for a long time,” he added.

“Derrick Otanga had not played for a long time before joining us. He has two goals from two games. The “senior” players who sat on the bench today can now see that the squad players can bring something on board. It will definitely improve the level of competition.”

Police will face defending champions Tusker this weekend. A win will see them just 5 points behind the Brewers.