Gor Mahia face Mathare United in top-of-the-table clash

What you need to know:

  • Second placed Mathare, who beat Gor Mahia 1-0 in both legs last season, will be without injured captain George 'Wise' Owino in this tie that offers coach Francis Kimanzi a chance to close the gap with the table toppers.
  • Kimanzi’s charges have lost their last two matches against Posta Rangers and Wazito.

Leaders Gor Mahia will be out to exact revenge on Mathare United when the two sides clash in a top-of-the-table Kenyan Premier League encounter at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.

Second placed Mathare, who beat Gor Mahia 1-0 in both legs last season, will be without injured captain George 'Wise' Owino in this tie that offers coach Francis Kimanzi a chance to close the gap with the table toppers.

Kimanzi’s charges have lost their last two matches against Posta Rangers and Wazito, results that left the Slum Boys three points behind Gor in the standings, although the champions have two games in hand.

With Owino out, assistant captain Crispin Oduor will lead the team but it remains to be known who Kimanzi will start in central defence alongside the youthful Johnston Omurwa.

Coach Dylan Kerr, whose side is unbeaten in 10 outings this term, is asking for more in the wake of a surprise 2-2 draw against Chemelil Sugar in midweek.

"We need to kill off our games early enough. I have kept singing this but the players seem to be forgetting. The Chemelil match I hope is a wakeup call ahead of this tough game on Sunday," said Kerr.

In other matches set for this weekend, AFC Leopards - seeking their first win in six games - return to the patchy Thika Sub County Stadium surface to confront Vihiga United on Saturday.

Robert Matano will be hoping to lead Tusker past Sony Sugar on Sunday at Ruaraka in his second match after taking over from Ugandan Sam Timbe earlier this week.

"That surface is not among the best I have seen but we will still try to express ourselves even though I'm certain my players will at times hold back because they fear injuries," Leopards interim coach Dennis Kitambi said.

Wazito coach Frank Ouna leads his charges against Sofapaka at Ruaraka tomorrow in the wake of a 1-0 loss to Tusker in midweek.

"We've had the disadvantage of playing teams that have changed coaches. First it was Chemelil Sugar, Tusker and now Sofapaka, this implies we are facing an opposition that is fired up, " Ouna said in reference to the Batoto ba Mungu who have former player John Baraza in charge on an interim basis.

Baraza is looking for his first win, having drawn the two games he's been in charge since replacing Ugandan Sam Ssimbwa.

FIXTURES

Saturday

AFC Leopards v Vihiga United (Thika Sub County Stadium 3pm)

Sunday

Nakumatt v Bandari (Kenyatta stadium, Machakos 2pm)

Mathare United v Gor Mahia (Kenyatta stadium, Machakos 4.15pm)

Tusker v Sony Sugar (Ruaraka grounds 2pm)

Sofapaka v Wazito (Ruaraka grounds 4:15pm)

Ulinzi Stars v Chemelil Sugar (Afraha stadium, 3pm)

Posta Rangers v Kariobangi Sharks (Camp Toyoyo grounds 3pm)

Thika United v Nzoia Sugar (Thika Sub County Stadium 3pm)

Monday

Kakamega Homeboyz v Zoo Kericho (Bukhungu Stadium, 3pm)