Charging Gor Mahia scent title

League leaders Gor Mahia will be out to inch closer to an unprecedented 16th SportPesa Premier League title when they face Mathare United in a tricky match at the Thika Sub-County Stadium on Saturday.

At the Mbaraki Sports Club, second-placed Sofapaka will face spluttering Bandari while former champions AFC Leopards will come up against troubled Posta Rangers in Narok on Saturday.

On Sunday, defending champions Tusker, sixth on the log after their midweek stalemate with Kariobangi Sharks, will come up against relegation-threatened Muhoroni Youth at their Ruaraka backyard.

However, all eyes will be on leaders Gor Mahia who are seeking to avenge their 1-0 loss to Mathare United on April 30.

FIT SQUAD

English coach Dylan Kerr, on an 11-match unbeaten run since taking over mid this year, has a fully fit squad to choose from.

The 15-time champions have a 15-point advantage at the helm of the standings, and need just four points from their remaining seven matches to be crowned winners.

With the attacking trio of Meddie Kagere, Jacques Tuyisenge and George Odhiambo firing in all cylinders, Francis Kimanzi’s backline line that has already shipped in 32 goals this term will be facing a major test.

Kimanzi also has a fully fit squad save for long term absentees Roy Syamba and goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya.

“It is not about the title. That is still a while away from being decided. For us, it is still about giving our best and seeing to it that we collect as many points as possible,” Kerr told Nation Sport on Friday.

“I have watched Mathare play before, their position (on the table) is not a reflection of their performance. They’ve got some young, quick players on board so I know that we are in for a difficult ride.”

Mathare, one of the three teams that have beaten Gor this term, have struggled for form all season but Kimanzi remains optimistic they will beat the chop.
“Optimism is free. We cannot go into the match thinking that we shall lose. Gor is definitely a big team with good players, but I am optimistic that my boys will measure up and maybe collect three points,” Kimanzi said.

Saturday (all matches at 3pm)

AFC Leopards v Posta Rangers (Narok County Stadium, 3pm)

Bandari v Sofapaka (Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa, 3pm)

Kariobangi Sharks v Chemelil Sugar (Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, 3pm)

Mathare United v Gor Mahia (Thika Sub-county Stadium, 3pm)

Zoo Kericho v Ulinzi Stars (Kericho Green Stadium, 3pm)

Sunday

Kakamega Homeboyz v Nakumatt (Mumias Sports Complex, 3pm)

Sony Sugar v Nzoia Sugar (Awendo Green Stadium, Migori, 3pm)

Tusker v Muhoroni Youth (Ruaraka Grounds, 3pm)

Western Stima v Thika United (Moi Stadium, Kisumu, 3pm)