NAIROBI, Kenya, November 5- The military derby takes centre stage this weekend as league leaders Ulinzi take on Red Berets from 3pm at Afraha stadium on Saturday.With just two games to go to the end of the season, the match could have huge ramifications on both ends of the table- a win for Ulinzi will see the army side just three points away from league honors, while defeat will almost surely condemn Berets to relegation.
A win for Berets on the other hand will boost their chances of escaping relegation while opening up the title race once more.
Ulinzi’s win last weekend was their first in three weeks but crucially it kept their one point lead intact, another three points will put pressure on second placed Gor Mahia who play on the same day.
The army men have the best defence in the league having conceded a miserly 15 goals so far. Attacking wise they have the second best goal scoring record in the league with 34 goals scored and have the best goal difference of 19.
For Red Berets, they are running out of time in the race for survival. The Ruaraka based side loss to KCB last weekend has put them in a precarious position and have only two matches to stage another Houdini act and escape relegation.
They have to win to have any chance of survival and coach Caleb Okuku will hope his boys can beat Ulinzi-a feat they have not managed for the last two seasons.
In Saturday’s earlier match, Posta Rangers will look to continue their revival when they face 7th placed Mathare United.
The mailmen are in fine form having won two and drawn one of their last three matches.They face a Mathare United side that lost 2-0 to bottom placed Mahakama last weekend.
Draws have been their undoing, having drawn an incredible 18 matches and are already talking about plans for next season.
On Sunday, Thika United will face off with KCB at Karuturi Sports ground from 1pm.
After a torrid few months, KCB has staged a mini revival in the last few weeks by winning two and drawing one of their last three matches to move five points clear of relegation.
Their revival has coincided with the return to play of Titus Mulama-the former Mathare United skipper brings with him experience and know how, and he has helped hold the team together as has the recovery from injury of Mzitto Oyando.
Striker Ezekiel Odera has been a shining beacon for the Bankers with the diminutive striker having scored 11 goals in the league and his marksmanship will be key to KCB’s survival.
They face a Thika side that has found itself in the lower echelons of the league after an indifferent season.
The Brookside boys never fully recovered from a torrid first leg during which they lost seven matches and even though a much better second half means they are 11th, they are still looking over their shoulders as they are only five points off relegation spots.
Sunday’s second match at the same venue will see Karuturi welcome Western Stima from 3pm.
The Flowermen are strong at home having suffered just two defeats all season at their backyard.
Mike Wanyika has impressed in goal in recent weeks consigning veteran Noah Ayuko to the bench and he should again continue in goal with David Owino, Titus Wamalwa and Amon Muchiri.
