AFC Leopards out to bounce back in Mombasa

AFC Leopards will be seeking to get back on track when they host Muhoroni Youth in a SportPesa Premier League match at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on Sunday.

At Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, champions Tusker tackle Ulinzi Stars in a potentially explosive encounter as leaders Gor Mahia face Sony Sugar away at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.

Leopards suffered a 2-0 loss to Chemelil Sugar last weekend, a result that ended their three-match unbeaten run in the league, thus relinquishing the top spot to arch rivals Gor Mahia.

As coach Stewart Hall plots Muhoroni’s downfall in Mombasa, the Briton will have to do without Dennis Sikhayi, Paul Kiongera, Marcus Abwao and Salim Abdalla who are all nursing injuries.

With the quartet missing, Hall will be forced to make some changes in the team.

Hall blamed last weekend’s loss on fatigue and to avoid a repeat of the same, the team changed plans and flew to Mombasa instead of going there by road.

“Four first team players in the first team are out with injury. Marcus (Abwao), Dennis (Sikhayi), Paul (Kiongera) and Salim (Abdalla) are unavailable and that means we have to change both our strategy and formation,” said Hall.

“I know Muhoroni Youth like to keep the ball and torment opponents when they exploit pockets of space in their area so it is going to be tough match. But I hope the Plan B will work.”

As Ghanaian forward Gilbert Fiamenyo leads the Ingwe attack, Muhoroni Youth have no big name striker having lost Wycliffe Ochomo last season.

The sugar millers, who are chasing their second win, will continue to rely on their youthful front line comprising Moses Onyango, Daniel Otieno and Calvin Omanga in this encounter.

“AFC (Leopards) look superior on paper but we are ready for them. We will be very cautious in the match because I wouldn’t like us to concede any goal in the match,” Muhoroni coach James Omondi said.

Tusker and Ulinzi Stars represented the country in the Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup respectively early this year although both sides failed to make it to the money bracket stages.

Interestingly, Tusker will host Ulinzi at the soldiers’ Afraha Stadium backyard owing to the shortage of venues in the country.

Seventh-placed Ulinzi, who are unbeaten in their three matches this term, will be looking to edge out the spluttering champions who have only one win in four outings.

"That will be a big game. They (Ulinzi) represented Kenya at continental level just like us so I know it won’t be an easy game.
At least the pitch at Afraha is better than the one at Thika. Last weekend, we couldn’t execute our strategy effectively because of the poor surface but in this game we have that chance to do that," said Tusker coach George Nsimbe.

Ulinzi tactician Benjamin Nyangweso chose to be more cautious with his views ahead of the high stakes encounter.

"I don’t believe that the quality of the Tusker team has diminished just because they have lost two games already. I still rate their players just the same way I always have. They remain defending champions of the league and so we shall try our best to beat them and at the same avoid silly mistakes," said Nyangweso.

Gor Mahia will be hoping to hold on to their top spot when they tackle Sony Sugar in Kisumu. The 15-time champions have not lost to the sugar millers in their last six league meetings and will be out to expend their unbeaten run over Salim Babu’s charges. Winger Innocent Wafula has been included in Gor’s travelling squad for the first time this season.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Sony Sugar v Gor Mahia (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)

Tusker v Ulinzi Stars (Afraha Stadium)

Sunday
Bandari v Thika United (Mbaraki Sports Club)

AFC Leopards v Muhoroni Youth (Mbaraki Sports Club)

Kakamega Homeboyz v Nzoia United (Mumias Sports Complex)

Western Stima v Chemelil Sugar (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)

Zoo Kericho v Sofapaka (Kericho Green Stadium)

Kariobangi Sharks v Nakumatt (Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos)

Mathare United v Posta Rangers (Thika Sub-county Stadium)