Sofapaka, Leopards renew rivalry in Narok
What you need to know:
- Title favourites Gor Mahia will tackle troubled Bandari at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu where they will look to extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.
- In Narok, the 2009 champions - who beat Ingwe 1-0 in their first leg meeting – will be eager to return to winning ways.
Former champions Sofapaka take on AFC Leopards on Sunday at the Narok County Stadium desperate to revive their fading hopes of clinching this season’s SportPesa Premier League title.
On Saturday, title favourites Gor Mahia will tackle troubled Bandari at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu where they will look to extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.
In Narok, the 2009 champions - who beat Ingwe 1-0 in their first leg meeting – will be eager to return to winning ways.
Sofapaka are currently experiencing a rough patch that has seen them fail to win any of their last four matches.
To add salt to Sofapaka’s injury, the elimination of Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt from the SPL table saw them lose six points, and this sent them skidding from second position to current fourth place behind Gor Mahia, Kakamega Homeboyz and Ulinzi Stars.
Zoo and Nakumatt fell victims of a court order that rendered their promotion to the top fight null and void, forcing the league organisers to suspend them from the league pending the determination of an appeal lodged by Football Kenya Federation.
Sofapaka will once rely on Ugandan striker Umaru Kasumba who is second on the top scorers’ charts with just one goal below Ulinzi Stars’ Stephen Waruru. First choice goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya is also back to full fitness.
“That’s a tough one but we must win. We aren’t doing well and once we get a win, I know we shall get back on track,” Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa said.
HELD BY SHARKS
Having stormed into the GOtv Shield final last weekend where they will meet Kariobangi Sharks on October 20, Leopards were held to a barren draw by a misfiring Mathare United side on Wednesday in a league match at Kasarani.
It is this topsy-turvy run that has Leopards coach Robert Matano worried as he faces a Sofapaka side that has equally failed to put up a consistent run this term.
“We are losing too many chances. But we are not playing badly. Azizi (Okaka) and (Keziron) Kizito have trained with the team all week and so I expect a better result than the midweek game against Mathare United,” Matano said.
If given the nod, Sofapaka midfielder Bernard Mang’oli will be facing his previous employers in this match.
At the Afraha Stadium on Sunday, fans will also get to enjoy a potentially explosive match when second-placed Kakamega Homeboyz face and third placed Ulinzi Stars.
Homeboyz have been the surprise package this term and will be hoping to extend their fairy-tale run with a win over the misfiring soldiers.
Ulinzi, who drew 0-0 with Thika United on Wednesday, will get a another chance to upset their tormentors at their backyard in Nakuru.
FIXTURES
Saturday
Gor Mahia v Bandari (Moi Stadium, Kisumu, 3pm)
Nzoia Sugar v Western Stima (Sudi Stadium, Bungoma, 3pm)
Sunday
Posta Rangers v Sony Sugar (Thika Sub-County Stadium, 2pm)
Chemelil Sugar v Mathare United (Chemelil Sports Complex, 1pm)
Sofapaka v AFC Leopards (Narok County Stadium, 3pm)
Ulinzi Stars v Kakamega Homeboyz (Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, 3pm)
