Stima face Sofapaka, Muhoroni away to Homeboyz

Western Stima will play their first match in the 2017 SportPesa Premier League Sunday from 3pm against Sofapaka at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Muhoroni Youth will face Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Sugar Sports Complex in Machakos at the same time in their second round league match.

Stima sat out the first two rounds of games in this season’s league, as their opponents were unavailable for action.

The power men, who finished in sixth position last year, will therefore be eager to return to the fray under their inspirational coach Henry Omino.

Speaking to Nation Sport from Kisumu, Omino said that Sofapaka will have an upper hand in the competition since they have already tasted Premier League action this season.

“The boys, especially the new players, are, however, eager to get started in the season so I hope we shall get three points out of it,” he said.

Sofapaka lost 1-0 to Sony Sugar in their first league match played in Afraha last weekend, and will want to bounce back to winning ways.

Veteran Charles Okwemba, former Kakamega Homeboyz defender Augustine Etemesi and defender Humphrey Okoti formerly of Bandari, are all part of the new look Batoto ba Mungu this year, and their experience will be relied on in the match.

Stima will be looking at former Tusker and Chemelil Sugar goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo as well as defender Jackson Saleh from Gor Mahia who all joined the team in December.

“We are not just participants in this league,” Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa warned.

"We are here to win games. Last weekend we were unfortunate to lose, but we were not overwhelmed. My players created a number of good chances but finishing was a problem. We have worked on that this week and I believe that the least result we will get is a draw.”