NAIROBI, Kenya, November 1 – Mathare United team manager, Willy Muruya, has declared his side will remain in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) as the 2013 season enters the homestretch is weekend.
With Gor Mahia already crowned champions, the battle to survive the relegation axe and the race for the top eight will take centre stage this weekend.
Bottom placed teams, Mathare, Sony Sugar, Kakamega Homeboyz, Muhoroni Youth and Karuturi Sports will be fighting relegation.
The Slum Boys who are 13th with 29 points play basement side Karuturi Sport who are seven points adrift on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium.
“The team is well prepared and we will approach the match carefully because we both want to survive.
“We need the three points that’s why I have told my players they need to settle mentally because if we win tomorrow’s (Saturday) match we will survive in the KPL,” Muruya told Capital Sport.
A loss for Karuturi will confirm their status as a Division 1 team next season.
Having been caned 1-0 by Leopards on Wednesday, Sony face outgoing champions, Tusker FC at Nyayo in the early relegation double header hoping that the brewer’s lull will continue long enough for them to nick the three points.
Defeat by Leopards who are away to Bandari in Mombasa left Sony still clinging to a single point lead over Homeboyz and they cannot afford any further slip up despite having a game in hand over their relegation rivals.
“We have a good chance to remain in the league because if we win our match against Tusker On Saturday, we will have two more compared to the rest who have played 28 matches,” Zico assured.
Having failed to secure their top-flight status last weekend with a limp 0-0 stalemate at home to KCB, Muhoroni travel to face City Stars on Sunday at Kasarani where defeat will haul them back to the relegation cesspool.
Homeboyz will get the relegation dog fight off later Friday when they host Chemelil Sugar who are chasing a top-eight finish at Bukhungu.
The battle for the Golden Boot also intensifies this weekend with Tusker forward Jesse Were and KCB’s Jacob Keli locked on 14 goals.
The two will be looking to surpass Sofapaka’s striker John Baraza who found the back of the net 18 times last season.
Dan Sserunkuma, Clifford Alwanga and Alan Wanga come in third with eight goals each while Baraza has seven.
