FKFPL Zdravko Logarušić itching for a good start at Police as Posta Rangers face Kariobangi Sharks

The former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards coach will be hoping to get off to a winning start as Police coach when his charges face Bidco United on Saturday.

Croatian national Zdravko Logarušić will be hoping for a winning start in charge of Kenya Police when the spendthrifts face Bidco United at the Police Sacco Stadium in an FKFPL clash on Saturday afternoon.

The former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards manager was appointed the club’s new head coach on Thursday morning after they opted to part ways with Francis Baraza after a rather indifferent start to the new league season.

Last season, Police finished third in the league, and were expecting to carry on that momentum onto this season and give the title challenge a real go, but it has not proven to be the case.

The Law Enforcers signed creative players Tyson Odhiambo and Kenneth Muguna, and also signed former Gor Mahia forward Tito Okello, but were dealt a huge blow as star men Elvis Machapo Rupia and Duke Abuya were poached by Tanzanian Premier League side Sindiga Big Stars.

It may have had an effect on the side, as in their opening four league outings, they have drawn three and lost one.

In the first game, they were held to a barren draw by Kariobangi Sharks. In the second, they were humiliated 3-0 by surprise league leaders Posta Rangers. In the third, they had to force a late goal to draw 1-1 with Shabana.

The fourth game proved to be the last straw for Baraza as his charges drew 2-2 against a frankly disarrayed Leopards side, which left the management with no choice but to part ways.

Logarusic will be hoping for a fine start, although he has had less than 48 hours to prepare the side for the clash against Bidco.

“Police FC called me. I know why they called me, and I have to do what I have to do,” the well-traveled coach said.

Bidco are currently flying under Amos Akhulia, After drawing their first three games in a row, they got their first win by humiliating FC Talanta 3-0 last weekend and will be hoping to carry and maintain that momentum into this match.

In another FKFL match, league leaders Posta Rangers will be facing Kariobangi Sharks, another side who are on good form at the moment as they seek to maintain their near-perfect start to the season, where they lead the table after four games.

After drawing 0-0 with Bidco United in their first start, they dismantled Police and Sofapaka 3-0 and 3-1 respectively, before winning against Murang’a Seal 1-0 last week.

Rangers have been inspired by their new experienced signings, with Jackson Macharia and Peter Thiong’o in particular displaying top-notch performances by injecting flair and creativity into their attack, which has made their gameplay more efficient.

Head coach John Kamau insisted last week he wanted to change how his charges played the game, and the foundations he laid last week have started to bear fruit in the new season given their impressive form so far.

A win for the side will effectively prove the fact that the team is making great strides towards achieving its goals.

In another match, Sofapaka will be hoping to end their bad start to the season with a win over Nairobi City Stars to relieve the pressure off Burundi head coach Francis Harigingo.

Sofapaka have only registered a solitary point, which was in their opening 1-1 draw against Gor Mahia in the opening weekend.

They have not gotten anything in their next three games. They lost 1-0 to Bandari, before being thrashed by Posta 3-1. Their record just could not stop against Ulinzi,  who beat them 1-0 last week.

City Stars will be full of confidence after getting their first win of the season against Nzoia Sugar last week, bringing an end to a three-game winless start, including a heavy loss to defending champions Gor Mahia a fortnight ago.

Should they beat Sofapaka, they will have a chance to continue building on from their current 12th place spot, and it will leave Harigingo in a tough spot to try and get Batoto ba Mungu out of the relegation places.

In another match, Nzoia Sugar will lock horns with Murang’a Seal, who have lost their last two FKFPL fixtures after doing well to win the first three.

Nzoia are rebuilding after most of their squad was decimated last year, as well as the departure of coach Salim Babu, who left to join Francis Baraza as Police assistant boss.

Head coach Godfrey ‘Solo’ Odur will be seeking to get his charges to win their second game of the season in order to help them return back to the top half of the table.