Eyes on second spot as Leopards visit Thika

High-riding AFC Leopards head to Thika Saturday afternoon looking for a win that will hoist them to second place on the table of the SportPesa Premier League as the season enters its round of 27 matches.

The surging 13-time champions host bottom-placed Thika United at Thika Stadium eyeing their fifth straight victory that will bring their season's points tally to 48, same as Bandari, who are not in action this weekend.

Sofapaka, who dropped to fourth spot after last Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Vihiga United, visit spluttering Nzoia Sugar in Bungoma and on Wednesday, host runaway leaders Gor Mahia in Narok.

The 16-time champions are on continental duty this weekend hosting Rwandan giants Rayon Sports at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday in a Confederation Cup Group “D” fixture.

Ingwe and Thika have previously met 19 times with Leopards winning 10, Thika four while five of the matches have ended in a draw.

Thika are 25 points adrift of their opponents whom they last beat 2-1 in May 2016. Ingwe's Argentine coach Rodolfo Zapata, whose first win came against Thika on May 20, is hungry for more blood.

“The pitch is not the best for our style of play but we must show our supporters that we are ambitious by winning,” said Zapata, whose side will miss the services of star player Whyvonne Isuza, who scored the opener in their 2-0 first leg win.

Isuza is serving a two-match suspension following his red card against Mathare United a fortnight ago.

Defenders Robinson Kamura, Dennis Sikhayi, Moses Mburu and Abdallah Salim are also sidelined with injuries.

Thika, who’ve only managed four wins this term with the last coming two months ago, will be desperate to a win to ease their relegations worries.

“We are really trying our best to ensure we survive. It’s tough though but we shall manage,” said Thika coach John Njogu, who fell 3-1 to fellow strugglers Wazito last Sunday as their winless run extended to eight games.

Leopards’ fans will be anxious to see what youthful trio of defender Christopher Oruchum, midfielder Said Tsuma and winger Eugene Mukangula can offer against their immediate former employers for the first time since crossing over in June.

Mukangula had gained fame for troubling Ingwe while donning the Brookside kits.

“This is an emotional return against a team that has nurtured me by giving me the platform to expose myself, they’ll always be in my heart,” said Mukangula.

On Sunday, 16th placed Vihiga United host 10th-ranked Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Sports Complex.

Current Vihiga coach Mike Mururi, then at Homeboyz, beat the debutantes 2-1 before switching jobs in May. He masterminded a 5-4 triumph against Homeboyz on penalties in a SportPesa Shield match.

FIXTURES

Mathare United v Nakumatt (Camp Toyoyo, 11am)

AFC Leopards v Thika United (Thika Stadium, 3pm)

Nzoia Sugar v Sofapaka (Sudi Stadium, 3pm)

Sunday:

Kariobangi Sharks v Sony Sugar (Camp Toyoyo, 11am)

Posta Rangers v Ulinzi Stars (Bukhungu Stadium, 3pm)

Tusker v Zoo Kericho (Ruaraka grounds, 3pm)

Vihiga United v Kakamega Homeboyz (Mumias Sports Complex, 3pm)