AFC Leopards on the prowl in Kisumu

AFC Leopards head coach Ivan Minnaert reacts during their SportPesa Premier League match against Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium on May 8, 2016.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Champions Gor tackle Stima in Kisumu on Sunday
  • Wounded Ingwe seek elusive win away to Muhoroni, leaders Tusker face Sofapaka

AFC Leopards will be seeking to return to winning ways when they take on Muhoroni Youth Saturday afternoon in a SportPesa Premier League match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

At the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, leaders Tusker will welcome Sofapaka in a high stakes clash while high-flying Posta Rangers host Chemelil Sugar at the Nyayo Stadium as Sony Sugar battle Thika United at the Awendo Green Stadium on Saturday.

Leopards, who are on a slump that has seen the 13-time champions slide from first to sixth place in the league standings, will be out to make amends against James Omondi’s charges from 2pm.

Ingwe are on a four-match winless run in the league and today’s game provides an opportunity for the Ivan Minnaert-led side to reaffirm their title credentials.

They face a Muhoroni side reeling from a 2-0 loss suffered at the hands of Gor Mahia last weekend at the same venue.

The match will provide a platform for Muhoroni’s Wycliffe Ochomo and Ingwe’s Kepha Aswani, with 14 goals between them, to continue with their hunt for the league’s Golden Boot.

Ingwe coach Ivan Minnaert on Friday told Saturday Nation Sport that the team will be actively involved in the mid-season transfer window before dishing another dress down to his charges.

“My biggest problem is that the players seem to be making the same mistakes every weekend. Of course we shall recruit better players in June but for now we have to fight for a good first leg finish,” said the Belgian.

“I have watched Muhoroni play. They have some physical players and they are also enjoying good momentum so these are the things that we shall be battling against.”

His Muhoroni counterpart James Omondi said that last weekend’s loss was behind them and that the team had been working on their weaknesses throughout the week.

“We are always prepared. Last weekend we were prepared to collect three points but we made a few mistakes and we lost. That is football. We have been working to correct those mistakes all week. In football you can either win or lose but tomorrow we shall be playing for three points,” he said.

At the same stadium on Sunday, defending champions Gor Mahia will be guests of Western Stima as they seek to keep their new found momentum.

But Western Stima coach Henry Omino has declared his intention to halt the terrific form currently enjoyed by K’Ogalo.

Stima tackle the 15-time Kenyan champions oozing with confidence after forcing a 2-2 draw with title-chasing Mathare United at Nyayo Stadium over the weekend in a match that Omino feels they should have won.

“We are gearing up for a difficult match. We are aiming to put a brave show. We do not fear the loud Gor supporters,” Omino said.

FIXTURES

Saturday:

Muhoroni Youth v AFC Leopards (Moi Stadium, 2pm)

Posta Rangers v Chemelil Sugar (Nyayo Stadium, 3pm)

Sony Sugar v Thika United (Awendo Stadium, 3pm) 

Tusker v Sofapaka (Kenyatta stadium, Machakos, 4.15pm)

Sunday:

Western Stima v Gor Mahia (Moi Stadium, 2pm)   

Bandari v Mathare United (Mbaraki Stadium, 3pm)

Ushuru v KK Homeboyz (Nyayo Stadium, 3pm) 

Ulinzi Stars v City Stars (Afraha Stadium, 3pm)