NAIROBI, Kenya, January 10- Titleholders, Tusker FC will kick-off their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) defense at ‘home’ to Nairobi City Stars on February 11 according to fixtures released on Tuesday.
The match that will be televised live on SuperSport will be the fist of a double header at Nyayo National Stadium that will also witness big spending AFC Leopards open their campaign against Chemelil Sugar from 4pm.
City Stars who barely survived relegation after beating Karuturi Sport 4-1 in their last match would not have asked for a more difficult start to their campaign.
In other enticing fixtures, Gor Mahia who have added ten new players to their line-up face a tricky trip to Thika United, promoted Muhoroni Youth take on Western Stima at a yet to be decided venue while KCB play 2010 champs Ulinzi Stars at City Stadium.
Newly appointed coaches, Ezekiel Akwana of Rangers and Gabriel Njoroge of Mathare face contrasting tests with the former welcoming promoted Oserian at Nyayo while the latter is in for stern examination away to Sony Sugar who will also welcome immediate former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars head coach, Zedekiah Otieno to the dug-out in Awendo.
Salim Ali, the immediate former Mathare United coach will begin his new KPL assignment in charge of 2009 titleholders Sofapaka with an away tie in Naivasha against Karuturi Sports to round-up the opening weekend of action.
The opening round of fixtures will be preceded by the SuperSport/Dstv Cup showdown between title winners Tusker and Cup holders Gor Mahia on February 5.
Both clubs will launch their continental campaigns on February 18 with the Brewers taking on Rwanda’s APR in Nairobi in a CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg tie.
K’Ogalo on the other hand will travel to Maputo to face Mozambique outfit Ferroviaro in their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first-leg clash.
The KPL Top 8 knock-out tournament will be launched on February 22.
Another meeting between Tusker and Gor in the KPL will be the highlight league fixture for February and this has been penned for February 27 at the refurbished Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.