NAIROBI, Kenya, April 24 – The rescheduling of the AFC Leopards versus Mathare United match seems to have poured cold water on what was billed the match of the weekend.
Leopards who won their first match of the season last weekend away at Awendo criticized the Kenya Premier League’s (KPL) decision to shift this weekend’s match from Coca Cola stadium to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani arguing that it was meant to be a home fixture for them.
The former football giants argued that playing at Kasarani will deny them “much cherished home advantage” and that the scheduled live television coverage by Supersport was done in a haphazard manner.
‘Ingwe’ eventually opted out of playing at Kasarani on Sunday where they stood to have received funding from the pan African sports broadcaster and will face Francis Kimanzi side the day before at Coca Cola stadium.
With a win in the bag, Edward Manoah’s side will have to step it up against the defending champions who last week also had a good outing against Western Stima last weekend who they edged 2-1.
Sebastian Muchera once again will be the go to man for Leopards while Mathare will be counting on there much vaunted midfield and defence to hold the fort in their quest to keep their season hopes alive.
Stima will be out to regain top spot in the league table when they welcome Sher Karuturi to the bear pit that is Bukhungu Stadium.Stima will be without Ramadhan Balala who is serving a suspension so Harambee Stars striker Mark Sirengo will spearhead Stima’s return to the summit of the log.
Another potential blockbuster lies in store at Kasarani when Nairobi City Stars play table toppers Sofapaka live on Supersport. Stars have risen up the table to fourth under the mercurial German Oliver Page.
Sofapaka reclaimed top spot after a 1-0 victory over Red Berets last Saturday and will undoubtedly want to consolidate that position with victory over the Kawangware based side.
Berets welcome Gor Mahia and their under fire coach John Sianga to Afraha stadium in a match of two struggling sides who are currently 13th and 15th respectively.
A fourth straight loss for Kogalo will ultimately seal Sianga’s fate as the storied team’s tactician. Sianga has been walking a tight rope for the past two months as far as his position in the team is concerned.
In other matches, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) travel to Mombasa to play Bandari, Chemelil Sugar welcome Sony Sugar, Thika United lock horns with Agrochemicals while Ulinzi Stars play Tusker FC.
