"Lucas Maina has to stay patient for his development" - Ulinzi Stars assistant Abdallah Mohammed

Photo Credit: Ulinzi Stars

FKFPL "Lucas Maina has to stay patient for his development" - Ulinzi Stars assistant Abdallah Mohammed

Mark Kinyanjui 15:30 - 06.06.2023

Maina showed flashes of brilliance as a substitute during Ulinzi's 2-0 loss to Gor Mahia.

Ulinzi Stars assistant boss Abdallah Dalo Mohammed has chosen to play the cautious card on Lucas Maina, saying that he needs a lot of time to become a top player.

Maina came off the bench during Ulinzi's 2-0 loss to Gor Mahia at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday to put Gor Mahia back to the top of the table.

Dalo, who was stepping in for the absent head coach Bernard Mwalala admitted that Maina is a player “with a lot of potential” but who “must not be rushed” if he is to realize “his bright future”.

“Lucas Maina is a good player with a lot of potential, but we mustn't rush him at all even with a bright future ahead of him. If we rush him, we may end up regretting in the future as he receives lots of stick for exposing his rawness. We cannot give him much responsibility right now,” Hamisi said.

Maina was part of St.Anthony's Boys High School squad that were crowned the 2018 Copa Coca Cola Africa champions.

Meanwhile, the Soldiers have been struggling for form over the second spell of the season, and part of that reason has been because of injuries to key players such as Staphod Odhiambo and Boniface Muchiri, who has scored eight goals and registered 15 assists this season.

“I cannot call it a lack of quality but rather, a lack of experience and match sharpness,” he said. “When you have not played for a while, you lose a lot of your match fitness and sharpness,” he added.

“It is our fault as coaches for not playing them, but when they receive their opportunities, they have to learn to grab them with both hands.”

Ulinzi Stars will face embattled Mathare United on Sunday before ending the season with a meeting against FC Talanta.