Leopards battle Homeboyz with top spot in sight

The prospects of catching up with Gor Mahia at the summit of the Kenyan Premier League provides AFC Leopards with the perfect motivation as they take on Kakamega Homeboyz on Sunday at 4.15pm in Machakos.

Earlier on at the same venue, former Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe will lead Tusker against Batoto ba Mungu in what is expected to be an explosive encounter while resurgent Ulinzi Stars welcome Posta Rangers in a tricky match at Afraha Stadium.

On Saturday, Bandari will be out to move into second place when they travel to debutantes Vihiga United, who are yet to win a match in six outings. Zoo Kericho will be away to Nzoia Sugar while Thika United host Kariobangi Sharks in the other encounter set for Saturday.

In Machakos, AFC Leopards will be eager to move level on points with champions and leaders Gor Mahia, who are away to Esperance this weekend in their Caf Champions League first round, second leg tie.

This will be the seventh meeting between the two sides, with both winning three and the other one ending even.

Following the sacking of head coach Robert Matano on Thursday, Dennis Kitambi, who has led the team to three straight wins, will start his tenure as the interim coach against Mike Mururi’s charges that will feature former Leopards players Noah Wafula, Collins Kisuya, Allan Wanga, Lamine Diallo and defender James Situma.

DEFEND BETTER

Kitambi told Nation Sport on Friday that they have been working on improving on the defending aspect of the team after watching his charges ship in five goals in their last two matches – although they won both games.

Kitambi will welcome Ghanaian left back Isaac Oduro from a one-match suspension while Whyvonne Isuza and Ezekiel Odera, scorers in their 3-2 win over Wazito in midweek should partner upfront.

“We have to improve on our defending. We have given away cheap goals in the last two games and if that continues then we may start losing again,” Kitambi said.

Homeboyz coach Mururi will be hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Ulinzi Stars, which was the team’s third defeat in of the season.

“What we needed to address after our loss to Ulinzi was ball distribution, and we did a lot of training on that this week. If we take charge of the midfield, then we should win,” Mururi, who will be without forward Ali Bhai, said.

Former champions Mathare United will come up against Sony Sugar tomorrow in Awendo hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s 4-3 loss to Ingwe that ended their unbeaten streak and sent them skidding from second to fifth place in the league standings.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Nzoia Sugar v Zoo (Sudi Stadium, 2pm)

Vihiga United v Bandari (Mumias Complex, 3pm)

Thika United v Kariobangi Sharks (Thika Stadium, 3pm)

Sunday

Sofapaka v Tusker (Machakos Stadium, 2pm)

Sony Sugar v Mathare United (Awendo Green Stadium, 3pm)

Wazito v Nakumatt (Camp Toyoyo, 3pm)

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

AFC Leopards v Kakamega Homeboyz (Machakos Stadium, 4.15pm)