KCB dare leaders Homeboyz in top of the table clash

The battle for top spot in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League intensifies this weekend with the highlight being the clash between leaders Kakamega Homeboyz and second-placed KCB at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Annex on Sunday. 

Round 14 kicks off on Friday with Posta Rangers hosting Ulinzi Stars in a 1pm tie at Kenya Sports Club Utalii.  Two matches are on the cards on Saturday and another six slated for Sunday across different venues in the country.

Other matches will see Kariobangi Sharks host AFC Leopards at MISC Kasarani on Saturday while record league champions Gor Mahia who got back to winning ways by beating Mathare United 1-0 last weekend, will be hoping to maintain the winning momentum when they face FC Talanta at the same venue on Sunday.

Kakamega Homeboyz will have an uphill task against KCB, a side they have not beaten since December 2019. Coach Bernard Mwalala's charges, who lead the log on 28 points, three ahead of the bankers, have only lost twice in this fixture with the other two matches ending in draws.

After losing their 11-match unbeaten run to FC Talanta, Homeboyz bounced back with a slim 1-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks at Kenya Sports Club Utalii last weekend. 

KCB, under the tutelage of experienced coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno missed a chance to go top last weekend following 1-0 loss to Bidco United at the same venue. 

The bankers forward Derick Otanga has been clinical this season having scored six goals, two less than Clifton Miheso of Kenya Police who leads the goal scoring chart.

At Homeboyz camp, forward Yema Mwana and midfielder Stephen Opoku will be the players to watch as their partnership has proved troublesome for opposing defenders in recent matches.

While Mwana has scored twice, Opoku has netted thrice and has been the engine of Homeboyz midfield.

“The team has a fighting spirit and a good mentality that is why we bounced back after FC Talanta loss. KCB is a good side but we have to fight since a win will ensure we cement our position at the top,” said Mwalala.

AFC Leopards, who are unbeaten in six matches face wounded Kariobangi Sharks with Belgium coach Patrick Aussems looking for a fourth win of the season in the league. Last season, Kariobangi Sharks completed a double over Leopards recording identical 3-1 wins over the Big Cats.  

Bottom-placed Vihiga Bullets Coach Juma Abdallah is also confident that the club can record its second win of the season after beating Wazito 4-2 at Bukhungu Stadium last weekend.

Bullets will be facing high-flying Bandari and a win will take their points tally to eight, which will likely move them from the bottom spot if Mathare United lose to Kenya Police at Ruaraka Grounds.

“We are fighting to get out of the relegation zone and move up in the table and that is why we have to beat another tough opponent in Bandari,” said Juma.

Fixtures (All matches at 3pm unless stated) 

Friday 

Posta Rangers v Ulinzi Stars (Kenya Sports Club Utalii, 1pm)

Saturday 

Kariobangi Sharks v AFC Leopards (MISC Kasarani Annex)

Mathare United v Kenya Police (Ruaraka Grounds) 

Sunday 

Bidco United v Sofapaka (Nyayo National Stadium) 

Gor Mahia v FC Talanta ( MISC Kasarani) 

KCB v Kakamega Homeboyz (MISC Kasarani Annex) 

Tusker v Nairobi City Stars (Ruaraka Grounds) 

Vihiga Bullets v Bandari (Bukhungu Stadium) 

Wazito v Nzoia Sugar (Utalii Grounds)