NAIROBI, Kenya, September 17-A clash of former champions Mathare United and Ulinzi will provide the highlight of this weekend’s Kenya Premier League action.On Sunday, Former champions Ulinzi will be keen to put one over 2008 winners Mathare especially as the slum boys inflicted them their only home loss of the season.
With most eyes focused on the more glamorous clubs around the top, Ulinzi have quietly gone about their business almost unnoticed and a win will see them regain their advantage at the top of the standings.
The army men have the meanest defence in the league having conceded just 13 goals with goalkeeper Francis Ochieng, Richard Chege, Josiah Odhiambo Geoffrey Kokoyo and Hussein Mohammed almost impenetrable at the back.
On Saturday, a rejuvenated AFC Leopards face Red Berets at Karuturi Sports ground and the tie will be followed by Mahakama against the hosts at the same venue.
Leopards will go into this match on the back of two victories with the change of coach seeming to have done the trick after Dino Kitavi replaced Robert Matano.
But they face a Red Berets side that is much improved in the second leg of the season. Berets have mixed feelings about Karuturi Sports ground having suffered their heaviest defeat of the season against Sofapaka (4-0) as well as registering their biggest win of the season against Chemilil(4-0).
Though the paramilitary side has drawn four of their last five matches, three of the draws have been away from home and against tough teams like Tusker, Gor Mahia and Karuturi Sports.
These results have seen the side slowly claw their way out of relegation spots creating a two point cushion and a healthy goal difference from the dreaded last two places.
Goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya is quickly building a reputation as one of the most eye catching keepers in the league with solid performances and his hawkeyed ness will be important.
On Sunday, Nairobi City Stars will seek to halt their slide down the log when they host Tusker from 2pm at City stadium.
Tusker will look to get back to winning ways when they face a City Stars side in freefall having lost their last four matches.
Currently fourth on the log, only a win will keep Tusker’s hopes of winning the league crown alive.
Usually solid defensively, the brewers were in shambles last weekend and Coach James Nandwa could ring the changes with goalkeeper Abel Omuhaya the most likely candidate to get the axe after a shaky performance against Sony.
Karuturi will looking for their second win of the second leg when they host Mahakama in Saturday’s second game while Mahakama have to get a win if they are to get off the bottom.
The justice boys have lost their last two games and Coach Sammy Omollo has to find a winning formula from somewhere as they are running out of games to salvage their season.
KPL Weekend’s Fixtures.
Sat, 18 Sept Red Berets v AFC Leopards 14h00
Sat, 18 Sept Karuturi Sports v Mahakama 16h00
Sat, 18 Posta Rangers v KCB 15h00
Sat,18 Chemelil Sugar v Thika United 15h00
Sat,18 Sony Sugar v Western Stima 15h00
Sun, 19 Sept Nairobi City Stars v Tusker 14h00
Sun, 19 Sept Mathare United v Ulinnzi 16h00
