NAIROBI, Kenya, April 13- Kenyan Premier League (KPL) leaders, AFC Leopards travel to Thika without two key players for their weekend clash with hosts Thika United on Saturday.
Ingwe will be missing their top striker, Allan Wanga and number custodian Patrick Matasi as the frontrunners seek to consolidate their lead at the summit of the log.
Wanga who has featured in every match for Leopards since he joined them in January is out with an ankle injury while Matasi has been an ever-present in goal since Dutch coach; Jan Coops took over the club midway last season.
Leopards bolstered by their emphatic 6-2 thumping of Rangers in Mumias last weekend travel to the fifth placed side who have won three and draw one of their last four fixtures who are set to welcome back their marksman Moses Arita from an injury lay-off.
Their top scorer, Kepha Aswani who sunk four goals in their 6-0 rout of Rangers three weeks ago is doubtful for the match at Thika Municipal Stadium that will be televised live on SuperSport 9 East from 2:30pm.
Elsewhere in the league, closest challengers Sofapaka face a tricky visit to the City Stadium to take on wounded Gor Mahia who are embedded in 14th place in a tempestuous encounter.
K’Ogalo are still smarting from their 1-0 loss to promoted Oserian and time is running out amongst their fickle fans for new coach Croat Zdravko Logarusic to make an impression and the scalp of Sofapaka whom they last beat in 2009 will go a long way to address that.
Salim Ali’s lads are wary of the threat Gor pose but last weekend’s 2-0 win over basement side City Stars will give them confidence of topping the Green Army who have already soaked in four losses and similar number of draws this term.
Defending champions Tusker who lie third five points shy of the leaders host a revitalised Mathare United on the same day in a match that will be a huge test for coach Sammy Omollo who will miss the services of influence midfielder Chrispin Olando.
The two teams have registered victory in their last two matches laying the ground work to an exciting clash where the Brewers will be keen to capitalise on any slip up by the front pair to get closer to the top.
Chemelil host KCB as they smart from a 2-1 defeat to Ulinzi Stars in Afraha as the Bankers who are seventh on the log look to return to winning ways after their 1-1 draw at Thika in their last encounter.
Struggling Rangers under new coach Jaffery Gichuki return to City Stadium on Saturday where they host sixth placed Karuturi Sports seeking to halt their recent huge margin losses.
Michael Nam’s led side 1-0 home win over Western Stima will provide inspiration as they seek to exploit the free falling Rangers who sacked their boss Ezekiel Akwana and the walkout of their skipper Pascal Ochieng within a week.
In other ties impressive new comers Muhoroni Youth host shaky Sony Sugar in Muhoroni on Saturday as bottom placed City host Ulinzi at Nyayo on Sunday.
FIXTURES
Saturday
Western Stima vs Oserian- Bukhungu
Thika United vs AFC Leopards- Thika
Muhoroni Youth vs Sony Sugar- Muhoroni
Rangers vs Karuturi Sports- City
City Stars vs Ulinzi Stars- Nyayo
Sunday
Gor Mahia vs Sofapaka- City
Chemelil Sugar vs KCB-Chemelil
Tusker vs Mathare United- Nyayo
