Mathare United going for double glory

Cup holders Mathare United and AFC Leopards cross swords on Saturday afternoon in the final of the Kenyan Premier League Under-20 championship as the curtains come down on the two-week youth football extravaganza.

At the same venue, disappointed Gor Mahia will be seeking some form of consolation when they collide with Sofapaka in the fight for third place from 10am.

Champions will take home Sh500,000, runners up Sh200,000 and third place finishers Sh100,000, while the top scorer will pocket Sh20,000.

For Mathare, winning the December edition will complete a remarkable feat having won the August edition, too.

They however face an acid test from a fired up Ingwe cubs who have been impressive under Boniface Ambani, playing with exuberance and panache.

“We have respect for them as champions but our ultimate target is the trophy. We have won resoundingly in your recent matches and it was not by sheer fluke. The boys have done it and I owe it to them,” Ambani said.

BULLISH

Ambani is particularly bullish as he welcomes back a plethora of talents in Erick Kinuthia, Haron Nyakha and Mathew Kono – who were all suspended for the semis.

Lucky Safari is also available for selection after missing his team’s 5-1 demolition of Bandari in the quarters.

In the third place play-off, Gor’s wonder boy Hillary Ojwang will be going for the tournament Golden Boot.

Ojwang has so far scored five goals to top the score charts.

Austine Odhiambo and Vincent Ogutu, both of Leopards have netted four goals apiece and will also be eyeing the top scorer’s gong.

FIXTURES

Third place play-off:

Gor Mahia v Sofapaka (10am)

Final:

Mathare Utd v Leopards (2pm)