Homeboyz, AFC Leopards clash in ‘Ingo derby’

Kakamega Homeboyz Saturday welcome 13-time SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions AFC Leopards at Bukhungu Stadium in one of the seven fixtures lined up in week two of the 2018/19 topflight season.

The 3.15pm kick off will be preceded by the clash pitting Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United, the latter aiming to dislodge champions Gor Mahia - who are engaged in continental assignment on Sunday - at the top.

Mathare posted a 2-0 win over Chemelil Sugar in the opening round last weekend.

Nzoia Sugar, coached by former Kenyan international Nicholas Muyoti, will be out to protect their unbeaten record at home against the 2008 champions after a 1-0 win over limping Zoo last Sunday.

Both teams have met four times with Mathare emerging winners twice while the two matches at Sudi Satdium have ended even.

Inspired by marauding wingers Kevin Kimani and Cliff Nyakeya, Francis Kimanzi’s charges have all it takes to begin their away campaign on a sound note.

“We brought Kimani on board because of his value in terms of statistics for assists and goals,” Kimanzi noted of the fleet-footed winger.

The second clash of the double-header is expected to cause a standstill in Kakamega. Both teams draw huge support from the Western region.

Previously, they’ve met 10 times with only one match ending in a draw. Leopards have won six and Homeboyz three.

Coached by Ugandan Paul Nkata, Homeboyz will aim to make it two wins in a row at the venue following a hard-fought 1-0 win over promoted Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in their season opener.

"The league has just started with each team planning for victory, we are no different and we want to get more motivation to push on by beating Leopards," said Nkata, whose charges lost both matches to Ingwe by an identical 2-1 score line last season.

Robinson Kamura, who netted the equalizer in the 1-1 stalemate against Kariobangi Sharks last weekend, wants to guide the team to their first win this season as captain.

"It's a derby and it's going to be an entertaining match, we are approaching it with much needed seriousness and concentration. We need to start getting maximum points as early as possible to launch a strong challenge for the title," said Kamura.

Chemelil Sugar returns to their home turf, the Chemelil Sports Complex, to host Vihiga United.

The venue, which was one of the five suspended from hosting league matches this season, saw its ban lifted by the KPL Stadia Safety and Security committee having worked on the recommendations in due time.

On Sunday, Bandari visit Sofapaka in Machakos keen to build on the famous 2-1 win over record champions Gor Mahia, who brushed aside Zoo Kericho 4-0 in midweek.

FIXTURE

Saturday

Nzoia Sugar v Mathare United (Bukhungu stadium, 1pm)

Kakamega Homeboyz v AFC Leopards (Bukhungu stadium, 3.15pm)

Chemelil Sugar v Vihiga United (Moi stadium, Kisumu 3pm)

Sunday

Mount Kenya United v Posta Rangers (Afraha stadium, 2pm)

Ulinzi Stars v KCB (Afraha stadium, 4.15pm)

Sofapaka v Bandari (Kenyatta stadium, Machakos, 3pm)

Western Stima v Tusker (Moi stadium, Kisumu 3pm)