Situma-inspired Homeboyz visit troubled Tusker

Fireworks are expected when Kakamega Homeboyz stars Allan Wanga, James Situma and Noah Wafula return to the Ruaraka grounds face their former employers Tusker in a SportPesa Premier League match on Saturday.

At the Afraha Stadium on Sunday, second-placed Ulinzi Stars will be seeking to move level on points with leaders Gor Mahia when they host Sofapaka in a clash of former champions while the Camp Toyoyo grounds will host the first triple header of the season.

In the first match at 11am, Kariobangi Sharks will tackle Bandari with Nakumatt welcoming Posta Rangers from 2pm at the same venue before Wazito and Nzoia Sugar clash in the last league match of the weekend at 4.15pm.

Wanga, Wafula nd Situma were part of the 14 experienced players who left Ruaraka at the end of last season, just a season after leading the brewers to a double.

MADE CHANGES

The 11-time champions have struggled for form this term, forcing the managers to bring in Robert Matano after only 11 matches to replace Sam Timbe, who had taken over from compatriot George Nsimbe in January.

However, after leading the team to three successive wins after taking over from Timbe, Matano’s brewers have lost their last two matches – against Kariobangi Sharks and Nakumatt - and will be seeking to bounce back to winning ways against Homeboyz at Ruaraka.

Wanga will most likely lead the team’s strike force, with Situma standing in defence as Wafula takes his preferred position on the flanks. Another former brewer, Festo Omukoto, could also start in midfield for the visitors.

“I have a thousand and one memories of this place and I don’t know how it will be playing at Ruaraka against my former team. But it is such feelings and emotions that make football sweet and enjoyable,” said Situma, a former Tusker captain.

"I am nervous but I will try to forget everything for 90 minutes.”

The two sides have played against each other six times before, with Tusker winning all but one of the matches. The closest the Homeboyz side came to defeating the brewers was in August last year when they held them to a 1-1 draw at their home turf.

Matano appears unfazed by the high number of experienced players on his opponents’ side, saying what counts is his players’ output during the game.

“Time is not on our side. We need to stay close to the winning teams. Last weekend we started the match badly and we ended up with a bitter loss to Nakumatt,” Matano said.

“We must bounce back this Saturday and doing so is simple: It is all about concentrating and making use of your chances throughout the match.”

On Sunday, Ulinzi Stars could move level on points with leaders Gor Mahia with a win over Batoto ba Mungu at home, but the champions will have three games at hand.

Gor are not action this weekend after their clash against eternal rivals Gor Mahia was postponed to allow players from both teams to do duty in the national team.

FIXTURES
Saturday:

Chemelil Sugar v Sony Sugar (Chemelil Complex, 1pm)

Tusker v Kakamega Homeboyz (Ruaraka Grounds, 3pm)

Sunday:

Kariobangi Sharks v Bandari (Camp Toyoyo, 11am)

Vihiga United v Thika United (Mumias Complex, 3pm)

Ulinzi Stars v Sofapaka (Afraha Stadium, 3pm)

Posta Rangers v Nakumatt (Camp Toyoyo, 2pm)

Wazito v Nzoia Sugar (Camp Toyoyo, 4.15pm)