AFC Leopards prey on frail Nzoia

AFC Leopards will be out to build on their midweek win against Nairobi City Stars when they host struggling Nzoia Sugar at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Gor Mahia face relegation-threatened Mathare United as they look to end a four-match winless streak at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani also on Sunday.

The two games are part of the four league fixtures that have been scheduled for Saturday while five matches are on the cards on Sunday. 

Defending champions Tusker have a tough contest against Posta Rangers at Thika Stadium on Sunday while KCB and Kakamega Homeboyz who are also joint top will be against Kariobangi Sharks and Bidco United respectively. 

Ulinzi Stars will bank on home advantage to end their poor run when they host Sofapaka at Nakuru ASK Showground on Saturday.

Leopards assistant coach Tom Juma believes that a win against Nzoia at Nyayo National Stadium will continue their resurgence after a slow start to the season by their youthful team. 

“We lost all our first team but our technical bench has done well to help nurture the young players.  The Nzoia match won’t be a walk in the park but we have to fight and continue with the winning momentum,” said Juma, himself a former Kenyan international.

Last season, Nzoia Sugar and Ingwe played out to a 2-2 draw in the second leg at Sudi Stadium while the Big Cats won the first leg won by a solitary goal at MISC Kasarani. Of the last five meetings, Leopards have won twice while three have ended in draws. 

“We drew with Gor Mahia last weekend and we hope to get back on track by beating Leopards. We also have a young talented team just like them and it will be an interesting game. We are targeting a win,” said Nzoia Sugar acting coach Peter Gin. 

Gin added that he will be welcoming back the club’s top scorer Levis Okello who has three goals so far this season. Okello bagged the three in their home clash against Kariobangi Sharks last month.

At MISC Kasarani main stadium, Gor who have gone four matches without a win will be hoping to ease pressure on acting coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo when they play struggling Mathare United. The last time Gor won a league match was 3-0 thumping of bottom-placed Vihiga Bullets on December 9 at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.

“We are still missing some of our first team players but that doesn’t mean they have deserted the team. All have reasons to be away including our coach Mark Harrison who is still sick back in England,” said Omollo on the absence of top scorer Benson Omalla, Burundian forward Jules Ulimwengu and burly midfielder Ernest Wendo.

The Slum Boys have not beaten K’Ogalo since 2019 and the record league champions picked six points from this fixture last season. However, a win for them will revive their season since their last win in the league was 2-1 triumph over Nzoia Sugar in October last year. 

Fixtures (All matches kicks off at 3pm)

Saturday 

Bandari v Kenya Police (Mbaraki Stadium) 

Kariobangi Sharks v Kakamega Homeboyz (MISC Kasarani) 

FC Talanta v Nairobi City Stars (MISC Kasarani Annex) 

Ulinzi v Sofapaka ( Nakuru ASK Grounds)

Sunday 

AFC Leopards v Nzoia Sugar (Nyayo National Stadium) 

Gor Mahia v Mathare United (MISC Kasarani) 

KCB v Bidco United (Kenya Sports Club, Utalii) 

Posta Rangers v Tusker (Thika Stadium) 

Vihiga Bullets v Wazito (Bukhungu Stadium)