Bidco United head coach Anthony Akhulia has cautioned his team against letting their guard down as they gear up to take on FKF Division Two club Karatina Homeboyz in a Mozzart Bet Cup round-of-32 encounter this Sunday at the Karatina Stadium.The 2021 semifinalists will be eagerly looking to sidestep any surprises in the opening stages of the competition as they journey to Karatina . Akhulia notes that they must exhibit their utmost prowess against the underdogs to secure passage to the last 16.##NAJAVA_MECA_7899431##”The Cup is renowned for its global upsets, and it’s vital not to underestimate any team, regardless of their league standing. We must approach each match with the seriousness it deserves,” he informed Mozzart Sport.In 2021, Bidco eliminated Masinde Muliro University FC from FKF Division One through post-match penalties. Last year, they repeated the feat by relying on spot kicks to defeat Lions FC, a fourth-tier team based in Kericho. Akhulia emphasizes that these matches should remind his team that every Cup game is challenging and requires full effort.”In the last two editions, we faced teams from the lower leagues: MMUST FC in 2021 and Lions FC in 2023. Both matches went all the way to penalties before our victory, highlighting the challenge ahead. This is a clear message to us that we’re up against formidable opponents who are eager to knock us out. Therefore, we must remain focused from the first minute to the last,” he added.City Stars ace delights in top-flight debut, eyes moreThe coach also revealed his intention to make changes for the Cup game by prioritizing fringe players who have had limited involvement in league matches this season. He believes that these underutilized players have a greater desire to perform and are ideally suited for the match. Mozzart Bet Cup enters Round of 32 this weekend”I consistently utilize fringe players in the Cup because it’s their only opportunity to play. It’s also a chance for me to field hungrier players after our recent league defeats. They are more motivated, and in football, a strong Cup performance could earn a player a starting spot in the league team. I urge them to give their best,” he explained.He also explored the losses his team experienced in the last two matches. They were defeated 2-1 by bottom-ranked Nzoia Sugar FC at home, followed by a loss to struggling Murang’a Seal FC by a single goal. Akhulia believes that complacency contributed to both defeats.”In the last two games, I’ve noticed a lack of urgency. Players have been mentally winning matches before stepping onto the pitch, only to underperform. We cannot afford lacklustre performances at this level; consistent excellence is essential in top-tier football,” he concluded, urging the players to step up their game.
