Strathmore Blades coach Ochieng unperturbed by Stanbic Shields defeat

Ochieng praised his players for their resilience, particularly their improved second-half display, while admitting that a couple of costly mistakes ultimately proved decisive.

“I'm very happy with the performance from the boys. We made a very good comeback in the second half and controlled the game for long spells. We made two costly mistakes that changed the course of the match, but apart from that, I'm really pleased with how the team performed.”

The tactician also lauded his team's defensive organisation and ability to cope with the absence of key players, saying the display gives him confidence ahead of the remaining fixtures.

"We were very good in transition, and our defence was well organised throughout the game. Despite having one player who wasn't 100 per cent fit and missing two key players, the team delivered an impressive performance. That gives me confidence and hope that we have a bright future in the upcoming games."

The defeat saw the students drop to a 8-9 record after 17 matches. They have accumulated 25 points and remain in the race for a place in the playoffs as the regular season heads into its final stretch.