Logarusic's Leopards prey on Ulinzi at Afraha
Joseph Sakwa (left) of City Stars vies for the ball with AFC Leopards’ Musa Mude during their Kenyan Premier League match at City Stadium on March 21, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Thirteen-time champions AFC Leopards will face stuttering Ulinzi Stars at the Afraha Stadium in what is the highlight of the weekend matches.
- Ulinzi lost 2-1 to Tusker in their midweek encounter
- Coach Zdravko Logarusic insists that his team is still far behind in terms of fitness
There will be no time off for some clubs during the Fifa international friendlies weekend as the Kenyan Premier League has listed six fixtures across the country.
Thirteen-time champions AFC Leopards will face stuttering Ulinzi Stars at the Afraha Stadium in what is the highlight of the weekend matches.
Ingwe recorded a 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars last weekend and followed this up with a 3-1 thrashing of Nakuru All Stars on Wednesday, but will face a much stronger opposition in the Robert Matano-coached side on Saturday.
Ulinzi, who lost 2-1 to Tusker in their midweek encounter, will be aiming to bounce back after collecting only three points in as many matches.
Former KPL Player of the Year Jacob Keli will again be the danger man to the soldiers after scoring in the last two games, and is likely to lead the attack alongside Wednesday’s brace hero Emmanuel Ngama.
STILL UNFIT
Coach Zdravko Logarusic insists that his team is still far behind in terms of fitness, but told Nation Sport that he anticipates a tough contest against Ulinzi.
“The team is still very unfit, in fact I think we are operating at 40 percent. Ulinzi are a very strong team who have a very good coach, so it will not be an easy match.”
“I am only a coach, not a magician, so I hope the boys will fight for the three points,” he said.
AFC Leopards coach Zdravko Logarusic looks on during their Kenyan Premier League match against City Stars at City Stadium on March 21, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION
Nakuru All Stars welcome Western Stima at Afraha in an early kick off on Saturday as Thika United take on Muhoroni Youth in pursuit of their first win of the season.
At the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, Tusker FC will be up against Nairobi City Stars as they try to improve on their current eighth position on the KPL log.
The brewers recorded their first win of the season on Wednesday after edging out Ulinzi in Ruaraka, and Coach Francis Kimanzi will expect his charges to continue with the spirit against the Kawangware-based side.
Tusker FC's winger Patrick Oboya (right) tussles for the ball with Ulinzi Stars forward Ezekiel Otuoma during their Tusker Premier League match on March 25, 2015 at Ruaraka Grounds. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
OMAR OUT
He will, however, do without left back Aboud Omar, who picked up a knock during the midweek win, while defender Luke Ochieng continues to be recover from a niggling ankle sprain.
Kenya Commercial Bank will face Chemelil Sugar in the first of the double header at Nyayo, while Sony Sugar tackle Ushuru FC at the Awendo Green Stadium.
Eric Mmata of Mathare United (right) vies with Chemelil Sugar defender James Omino during their Tusker Premier League match at Nyayo Stadium March 25, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION
Defending champions Gor Mahia, who have recorded a perfect start to the league, have a free weekend as four of their first team players are out of the country on international duty.
FIXTURES
Nakuru All Stars v Western Stima (1.35pm Afraha), Thika United v Muhoroni Youth (3pm Thika), Ulinzi Stars v AFC Leopards (3:45pm Afraha)
Sunday:
KCB v Chemelil Sugar (Nyayo 2pm), Sony Sugar v Ushuru FC (Awendo 3pm), City Stars v Tusker FC (Nyayo 4:15pm).
