Clash of the titans: Gor, Sofapaka lock horns in high stakes tie

Sofapaka defender Eugene Asike (left) vies for the ball with Gor Mahia's Godffrey Walusimbi during their Tusker Premier League match at City Stadium on May 10, 2014. The two teams clash in the TPL on October 26, 2014 at Kenyatta Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • All Stars must beat Western Stima to avoid relegation
  • A win for Gor, who have 54 points, will take them within one point to clinching their historic 14th league title while victory for Batoto ba Mungu will force the league to be decided on the final day depending on the outcome of other matches.

Gor Mahia will be out to re-write the history books when they face second-placed Sofapaka in a top-of-the-table Kenyan Premier League clash at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County on Sunday.

A win for Gor, who have 54 points, will take them within one point to clinching a record-breaking 14th league title while victory for Batoto ba Mungu will force the league to be decided on the final day depending on the outcome of other matches.

And there could still be more drama at the lower end of the table with debutants Nakuru AllStars fighting for their lives.

Gor Mahia, who enjoy a four-point lead atop the table standings, will come closer to retaining the title with victory over second-placed Sofapaka in the 4:15pm kick-off match.

Victory for K’Ogalo will move them to 57 points, beyond ‘Batoto ba Mungu’s' reach, while third-placed Tusker could leapfrog Sam Timbe's charges if IDAC upholds KPL's decision to award the brewers maximum points for their abandoned match against Muhoroni. Tusker will move to 51 points, six behind Gor with two games to the end of the season.

Tusker beat Ushuru Fc 2-0 on Friday to maintain their third spot.

“We are seeking to write our own history in this match, but we are well aware of the qualities of our opponents,” Gor striker Dan Sserunkuma told the club’s official website.

The ruthless Sserunkuma should be flanked upfront by a rejuvenated George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, with Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth and Erick Ochieng’ supplementing the duo in midfield.

UNBEATEN STREAK

The four alongside defender David Owino and custodian Jerim Onyango will be key in ensuring coach Frank Nuttall upholds his unbeaten streak in the league.

Sofapaka, have in the meantime, taken a modest approach to the match.

“We are looking to win so as to make up some ground on our direct title rivals and extend the championship race at least for another week,” Sofapaka’s Clifton Miheso said.

The hosts, who are unbeaten in their last seven competitive outings, will miss the services of influential defender Felly Mulumba through suspension.

However, Sofapaka’s front line of Miheso, John Barasa, Enock Agwanda and Danson Kago could prove a handful for K’Ogalo. Sofapaka are the highest scoring side this season after netting 42 times and conceded 22 while Gor have scored 35 times and let in 17.

In the other matches, bottom side AllStars will be relegated if they lose to Western Stima at the Kisumu Stadium on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s match between Chemelil Sugar and AFC Leopards in Awasi will be played behind closed doors, owing to a decision by football authorities to impose a ban the latter’s fans.