Gor, Tusker in action as KPL's second leg action begins

Gor Mahia’s Francis Kahata (second, right) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Tusker in their Kenyan Premier League Top 8 Knockout semi-final return leg match at Nyayo National Stadium on June 19, 2016. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Clubs rush to beat transfer deadline, which ends Saturday midnight
  • Champions Gor take on Thika United as leaders Tusker entertain Posta Rangers this weekend
  • All the 16 KPL teams have new faces in their squads, and some new signings are likely to be paraded when the second leg begins.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) returns this weekend after a month-long midseason break.

The transfer window that swung open on June 1, shall also close at midnight on Saturday. Several clubs are making frantic efforts to finish their transfer business.

All the 16 KPL teams have new faces in their squads, and some new signings are likely to be paraded when the second leg begins.

Among them is Gor Mahia returnee, Meddie Kagere, who signed a two-year deal with K’Ogalo on Thursday. The Ugandan-born Rwandan striker is likely to be in the squad as the 15-time champions tackle Thika United at the Thika Stadium on Sunday.

Placed fourth in the KPL table and just three points below table toppers Tusker, K’Ogalo will be looking to chase down the brewers who have a difficult assignment against Posta Rangers tomorrow in Machakos.

While K’Ogalo have won their last eight competitive matches, Thika have struggled with performance and have only won three of their 15 league matches this season.

Gor coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira is bubbling with confidence ahead of the second leg, saying that the league title remains the club’s ultimate goal.

“Everything we do, every game we play, we play with the KPL title in mind. We don’t look at the opponent so much, all we want to do is to ensure that we win every game as we position ourselves for the title,” Ferreira told Saturday Nation Sport on Friday.

On Saturday, AFC Leopards will be at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu to tackle bogey side Chemelil Sugar.

Leopards coach Ivan Minnaert has said that his new-look charges are ready to battle to the end of the season.

“We have faced a number of challenges in the recent past but we are planning to return stronger in the second leg. There will be several changes because we have a number of new players and I believe that with the support of our fans, we shall succeed,” Minnaert said.

FIXTURES

Saturday: Ushuru v SonySugar (Nyayo Stadium, 2pm); Kakamega Homeboyz v Bandari (Mumias Complex, 3pm); Chemelil Sugar v AFC Leopards (Moi Stadium, 3pm); Sofapaka v Western Stima (Machakos Stadium, 3pm); City Stars v Muhoroni Youth (Kasarani Stadium, 3pm); Mathare United v Ulinzi Stars (Nyayo Stadium, 4.15pm).

Sunday:  Tusker v Posta Rangers (Machakos Stadium, 2pm); Thika United v Gor Mahia (Thika Stadium, 4.15).