2017 KPL season kicks off after delays

What you need to know:

  • Champions Tusker play Nzoia in Nakuru on Saturday.
  • Sony entertain Chemelil at Awendo, Gor await newly promoted Kariobangi Sharks on Sunday.

After a month-long delay, the 2017 SportPesa Premier League season kicks off this weekend with six matches on the cards.

The premier league kick off was scheduled to begin on February 10 but was shelved indefinitely following a protracted dispute between the league organisers and Football Kenya Federation over the composition of the top tier.

One part of the dispute, the issue of whether or not to expand the top flight, has already been resolved, and the 2017 season will for the first time feature 18 teams up from last year’s 16.

Another part of the dispute regarding which two teams to be included into the fixtures to make up the 18-team league is still pending at the Sports Disputes Tribunal, and the case’s hearing has been scheduled for March 15.

Judging by each team’s activities during the December-January transfer window, it appears that the league title will be contested by usual suspects Tusker, Gor Mahia, Ulinzi Stars and AFC Leopards.

New comers Nakumatt and Kariobangi Sharks have also showed intent in the transfer market and have both declared their interest in gunning for this year’s top prize. Together with fellow league newbies Nzoia Sugar FC and Zoo Kericho, Nakumatt and Sharks have flirted with promotion for the last three years, but have always missed out after coming so close.

Nzoia, making a return to the top flight after over a decade in the cold, face baptism of fire when they travel to Nakuru today to face champions Tusker in their season opener while Nakumatt, established in 2014, will be in Mombasa against Bandari.

Sharks, meanwhile, face a test of character when they tackle 15-time champions Gor Mahia in Thika on Sunday.

The Tusker-Nzoia match will be of special significance to the brewers who have had a torrid preseason that has already seen them tossed out of the Caf Champions League and lost the Super Cup after falling 1-0 to Gor.

POOR CAMPAIGN

George Nsimbe’s charges were tossed out of the continental campaign at the very first stage after a 3-2 aggregate loss to Mauritius side AS Port Louis.

“Our return to the premier league is of big significance to the entire western region. We hope that we shall be allowed to use either Sudi, Kanduyi or Mumias Sports Complex so that our fans can get the chance to offer their support to the team,” Nzoia coach Benard Mwalala said.

“It has been years since we were in the premier league and I can promise that we shall not just be participants. We shall compete like everyone else and prove that we are ready for this league,” added Mwalala.

Gor Mahia, who missed out on all trophies last season, will be at the Thika Municipal Stadium tomorrow to face the audacious Sharks in a potentially explosive match.

Sunday’s 1-0 win over Tusker in the Super Cup seems to have brought renewed belief in the squad with Gor Mahia head coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira declaring they will go all out in a bid to reclaim the title this term.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Tusker v Nzoia Sugar (Afraha, 2pm)

Bandari v Nakumatt (Mbaraki, 3pm)

Sunday

Mathare United v Thika United (Thika, 2pm)

Kariobangi Sharks v Gor Mahia (Thika, 4.15pm)

SoNy Sugar v Chemelil Sugar (Awendo, 3pm)
Zoo Kericho v Posta Rangers (Afraha, 3pm)