Limping City Stars up next for Gor Mahia, Bandari place Thika

Strugglers Nairobi City Stars are out to pull surprises in their Kenyan Premier League encounter against defending champions Gor Mahia this afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The Kawangware-based have struggled all season, but they gave a good account of themselves last weekend when they beat Mathare United 2-0 at Nyayo.

While the win did little to guarantee them an upper hand over their closest rivals in the relegation dogfight, it injected higher levels of confidence to the Gabriel “Kingi” Njoroge-coached side.

Njoroge told Nation Sport on Friday that people should not be quick to write them off based on their position in the league, but that they should give them a chance and see how they perform on the pitch.

“People should stop judging us based on statistics. I know that Gor Mahia are very strong and that they are unbeaten. Everybody knows that. But if we approach our matches with that kind of mentality, then we will never get even one point,” he said.

Gambian striker Ebrimma Sanneh, who joined the team in July last year, has been a revelation for the Stars as they continue to regroup to beat the chop.

Both teams have fit squads ahead of this match, although Gor Mahia’s midfield maestro Khalid Aucho will sit this one out for having accumulated five yellow cards.

TUSKER FACE KCB

On Sunday, ten-time champions Tusker FC will come up against KCB in a match the brewers will be out to make amends after failing to register a win in their last two matches.

KCB were humiliated 6-1 by league leaders and defending champions K’Ogalo last Sunday, but will take comfort in the fact that they beat the brewers 1-0 in the reverse fixture three months ago.

KCB assistant coach yesterday Elvis Ayany submitted that his players are short in confidence ahead of this tie.

“Last weekend’s loss had a damaging effect on the players’ confidence. Our defence was particularly shaky but I have told the players to stay focused during the match and try to get at least one point,” he said yesterday.
In other matches scheduled for this weekend, spluttering Thika United will welcome Bandari at the Thika Municipal Stadium, while neighbours Western Stima and Muhoroni Youth will face off at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Thirteen-time champions AFC Leopards have been exempted from KPL action this weekend, as they play their 1st round match of the GOtv Shield Cup against Ligi Ndogo.

FIXTURES

Saturday: Thika United v Bandari (Thika Stadium), Western Stima v Muhoroni Youth (Moi Kisumu), Gor Mahia v City Stars (Nyayo Stadium)

Sunday: Mathare United v Ushuru (Nyayo Stadium), Chemelil Sugar v Sony Sugar, (Moi Kisumu), Tusker v KCB (Nyayo Stadium)