AFC Leopards face Sharks, Gor target Ullinzi scalp
What you need to know:
- In Kisumu, second-placed Gor Mahia will be hoping to pile pressure on Tusker when they battle the third-placed soldiers in what is expected to be a closely contested match.
- In Ulinzi, Gor face the team with the most lethal attacker in the league in Stephen Waruru.
- In Kericho, Francis Kimanzi’s bottom side Mathare United know their survival chances rely on their form from now to the end of the season.
Action returns in the SportPesa Premier League this weekend with former champions Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars facing-off on Sunday in a crunch match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
On Saturday, AFC Leopards caretaker coach Tom Juma leads his charges against Kariobangi Sharks at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru in his first league match in charge of the 13-time champions while troubled Mathare United visit Zoo Kericho at the Kericho Green Stadium on Sunday.
Defending champions and league leaders Tusker tackle Bandari at Kinoru Stadium on Sunday. The current Bandari coach Paul Nkata led the brewers to a double last season.
In Kisumu, second-placed Gor Mahia will be hoping to pile pressure on Tusker when they battle the third-placed soldiers in what is expected to be a closely contested match.
Gor lost the top spot to Tusker a fortnight ago after their 2-0 loss to Sofapaka, while Ulinzi Stars failed to capitalise on the result after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sony Sugar at Afraha Stadium.
Gor, under the guidance of caretaker coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, will miss the services of skipper Musa Mohammed who is suspended, meaning Joash Onyango, Harun Shakava and Wellington Ochieng will start at the back.
In Ulinzi, Gor face the team with the most lethal attacker in the league in Stephen Waruru.
"Our aim this season is to win the league and if my goals help along the way, the better. Gor Mahia are the toughest team to play against in the league but you have to beat such teams to win the competition. We are ready," said Waruru, who is the league's current top scorer with eight goals.
Leopards stand-in-coach Tom Juma, fresh from overseeing a 15-1 win over Dero FC in a GOtv Shield assignment last weekend, will face his first real test against an improving Kariobangi Sharks.
The league debutantes are sixth on the league standings with 22 points, six behind leaders Tusker while Leopards are 12th with 16 points.
Sharks are unbeaten in their last eight league outings while Leopards’ last league win was on April 23 against Thika United and remain winless in eight matches.
MUST-WIN
In Kericho, Francis Kimanzi’s bottom side Mathare United know their survival chances rely on their form from now to the end of the season.
This without doubt is a must-win game for the "slum boys" who are enduring their worst start to a league season.
With only two wins in 14 matches and the worst defensive record in the league so far, Mathare will be seeking to floor the hosts who will be without suspended striker and club top scorer Bernard Odhiambo.
"We urgently need stability at the back and I am encouraged we didn't concede today," Kimanzi said after watching his side's barren draw in their last league assignment against AFC Leopards.
Zoo coach Sammy Okoth could hand debuts to new signings Demonde Selenga and Hamidu Kwizera.
FIXTURES (All games start at 3pm)
Saturday
AFC Leopards v Kariobangi Sharks (Afraha Stadium, Nakuru)
Nakumatt v Sofapaka (Ruaraka grounds, Nairobi)
Nzoia Sugar v Thika United (Sudi Stadium, Bungoma)
Western Stima v Muhoroni Youth (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)
Sunday
Gor Mahia v Ulinzi Stars (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)
Posta Rangers v Chemelil Sugar (Afraha Stadium, Nakuru)
Posta Rangers v Chemelil Sugar (Afraha Stadium, Nakuru)
Sony Sugar v Kakamega Homeboyz (Awendo Green Stadium, Awendo)
Tusker v Bandari (Kinoru Stadium, Meru)
Zoo Kericho v Mathare United (Kericho Green Stadium)
