Tusker, Sofapaka clash will define title campaign

Sofapaka’s Fiston Abdoul (front) battles for the ball with Dirkir Glay of Gor Mahia during their Kenyan Premier League match at City Stadium. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Coach Francis Kimanzi’s men recorded a needless 1-0 loss against KCB last weekend, and although Kimanzi has provided verbal assurance that the team will pick up eventually, the club’s fans worry that it will be impossible to chase down league leaders Gor Mahia by that time.
  • Batoto ba Mungu have on their side the talented Burundian striker Abdul Fiston who has so far swung five goals for his side, and they share goal scoring obligations with Enock Agwanda and the ageless John Baraza. Together they have produced 13 out of the club’s 18 goals this season.

If Tusker and Sofapaka fail to win their next three matches, they face a real threat of dropping of title contention considering Gor Mahia’s feisty form so far this season.

The two clubs come face-to-face tomorrow in what is easily the biggest game of the weekend, but the brewers find themselves needing the three points more than their opponents.

Coach Francis Kimanzi’s men recorded a needless 1-0 loss against KCB last weekend, and although Kimanzi has provided verbal assurance that the team will pick up eventually, the club’s fans worry that it will be impossible to chase down league leaders Gor Mahia by that time.

Both teams boast a highly coveted squad, with Tusker having brought on board former Ingwe duo of defender James Situma and widely travelled midfielder Humphrey Mieno, as well as former Gor Mahia striker Patrick Oboya to add onto the already excellent front line that featured Kevin Kimani and Jesse Were.

Batoto ba Mungu have on their side the talented Burundian striker Abdul Fiston who has so far swung five goals for his side, and they share goal scoring obligations with Enock Agwanda and the ageless John Baraza. Together they have produced 13 out of the club’s 18 goals this season.

While Sofapaka are unbeaten in the last eight occasions, the brewers are still recovering from Sunday’s shock 1-0 defeat to KCB, and Sofapaka captain Felly Mulumba says that his team mates are ready for the Sofapaka test and that they plan to take all three points.

“People think that the gap between us (Sofapaka) and Gor Mahia is impossible to close, but I don’t think so. If we win consistently, we shall close the gap. For this, the entire team is well prepared mentally and I think we have the strength to get the three points,” the Congolese defender told Saturday Nation Sport yesterday.

But before the Sunday action, AFC Leopards will be in Kisumu to tackle seventh placed Western Stima.

It is a match Leopards need to win if they are to claim any further stay in the league’s second position, although reports of serious financial situation within the club threatens to derail this possible outcome.

VIP tickets for this match retail at Shs500 and on the following day at the same venue, defending champions Gor will take on Muhoroni Youth looking to extend their point difference against Ingwe to 11. The defending champions will once again be in the company of their travelling fans.