Stuttering Ulinzi Stars face Mathare United test

Mathare United's Cliff Nyakeya (left) attempts to stop the ball from going out of play under pressure from Nzoia Sugar's Dennis Wanjala during their Kenyan Premier League match at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on February 11, 2018. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO |

What you need to know:

  • Newbies Wazito welcome Homeboyz.
  • Slum boys carry perfect record to Afraha against KDF side lacking a little bit of self confidence.
  • Mathare are placed second and Ulinzi sixth on the league table after two games.

In the absence of glamour sides Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at this weekend’s Kenyan Premier League fixtures, focus shifts to Nakuru where former champions Ulinzi Stars and Mathare United will face-off on Saturday from 3pm.

Gor and Leopards have been exempted from this weekend’s KPL schedule to allow them to prepare for their respective return legs of the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup due next weekend.

Mathare are placed second and Ulinzi sixth on the league table after two games.

Alongside Gor Mahia, Mathare is the only team yet to have dropped any points this season, and are placed second on behind K’Ogalo on inferior goal difference.

The soldiers however slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Sony Sugar last weekend in Awendo to record their first defeat of the season. Ulinzi had smashed Zoo Kericho 4-2 in their opening match of the season.

“The boys are displaying character. If you look at our two games, you will see that there is some maturity and depth in the squad, and we can always get better,” said Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi.

If the experienced Kimanzi sticks to the squad that beat Vihiga United and Nzoia Sugar by identical 2-1 score lines, Robert Mboya will start between the sticks, as veteran Clifford Alwanga orchestrates the attack.

Last season, Ulinzi completed a double over the slum boys, comprehensively thrashing them 5-1 in the opening leg before Oscar Wamalwa’s goal helped them to a 1-0 win in the return match.

This was revenge served cold, as the slum boys had beaten them 1-0 and 2-0 in their home and away meetings in 2016.

This tit-for-tat affair has led bookmakers to believe that the slum boys have an edge over Ulinzi in this match.

BIRGEN RETURNS

The only trick however is that the soldiers will approach the match with extra motivation as they seek to bounce back from last week’s disappointment.

Defender Brian Birgen is set to return for the soldiers having recovered from a knee sprain that has kept him out for two games this season.

Ulinzi’s coach Dunstan Nyaudo has heaped praise on Mathare - respect or mind games?

“The current Mathare United side is a very tactical team. They struggled last year but they learned their lessons and recruited well. It won’t be an easy game but we have prepared for a win,” he said.

In the only game that will be staged in Nairobi this weekend, debutants Wazito will come up against Kakamega Homeboyz at Camp Toyoyo.

FIXTURES (All games kick off at 3pm)

Saturday:

Ulinzi Stars v Mathare United (Afraha)

Chemelil Sugar v Kariobangi Sharks (Chemelil)

Nzoia Sugar v Nakumatt (Sudi)

Wazito v Kakamega Homeboyz (Camp Toyoyo)

Sunday:

Sony Sugar v Zoo Kericho (Awendo)

Thika United v Bandari (Thika)

Vihiga United v Posta Rangers (Bukhungu)