Gor Mahia, Leopards, Tusker seek safe passage into GOtv Shield last 16

The Kenyan Premier League action takes a break this weekend to pave way for the GOtv Shield round of 32 with Kakamega Homeboyz versus AFC Leopards being the highlight match of the weekend.

The other notable clash will pit last season’s runners up Nakumatt against holders Bandari in what is a repeat of the 2015 final.

The dockers crushed Nakumatt 4-2 to claim their first ever major title last term and Friday’s meeting is expected to be a grudge match.

Gor Mahia, who have won the domestic crown a record ten times, will host Nairobi Stima in another major clash.

Premiership sides Muhoroni Youth and Ulinzi Stars will also cross swords in what is expected to be a physical showdown on Saturday in a late kick off at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Chemelil Sugar will welcome an improving Nairobi City Stars in an early kick off at the same venue as Tusker take their quest for the trophy to Uprising Youth, whom they’ll host at the Ruaraka grounds.

City Stars coach Richard Pinto Tamale said that he would rest some of his players as the club plays the sugar milers twice in a span of five days.

“We face them on Saturday and Wednesday in different competitions and so it’s quite difficult. I’m left with no option but to rotate the squad,” he said.

City Stars striker Jimmy Bageya is ruled out with a knee injury which will require an operation and will not feature.

LEOPARDS FACE HOMEBOYZ

It is, however, Leopards who will be keenly monitored after flip-flopping this term.

The match comes in the wake of largely peaceful club elections that ushered in a new office on Sunday.

The big cats, who last won the Cup in 2013 beating Gor Mahia 1-0 in the final, will be out to put an impressive performance as this is their only realistic chance of bagging silverware this term and their coach, Ivan Minnaert, believes as much.

“This is the most import competition for us this term. They (Homeboyz) are a good team and we need to play well to beat them. We need to go forward as a team and consistency will be key,” Minanert said on Wednesday.

Forwards Paul Kiongera and Andrew Tololwa as well as defender Jackson Saleh will play no role in this match as they are out with injuries.

Homeboyz’s camp was however coy ahead of the match with assistant coach Peter Okidi saying they are focusing on their training.

“I can’t divulge much. I can’t talk about the game. We are just forging ahead with our preparations,” said Okidi.

National Super League giants Kariobangi Sharks will be up against fellow second tier side Palos, Zetech University face Butterfly as Modern Coast test the preparedness of Tiki.

On Sunday, Nzoia Sugar will aim at knocking out Kiambu All Stars, while an unpredictable GFE 105 will be at home at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret where they’ll be out to kick out former KPL side KCB.

Western Stima will tackle Fresha as Timsales battle Ushuru for a slot in the last 16.

FIXTURES

Kariobangi Sharks v Palos

Nakumatt v Bandari

Zetech University v Butterfly

Tusker v Uprising Youth

Chemelil Sugar v Nairobi City Stars

Modern Coast v Tiki

Agro Chemicals v Vihiga United

Muhoroni Youth v Ulinzi Stars

Gor Mahia v Nairobi Stima

Thika United v Mosca

Nzoia Sugar v Kiambu All Stars

Wazito v Bidco United

Kakamega Hombeboyz v AFC Leopards

GFE 105 v KCB

Western Stima v Fresha

Timsales v Ushuru