By Samuel Gacharira;
Fanatism aside, this has been a magnificent season and what a way to conclude with the title race going down to the wire. With only one point separating K’Ogalo and Batoto Ba Mungu, the ultimate round of matches is set to be breathtaking. Going into this stage, six sides continue to scramble for the three remaining top 8 slots while either Nairobi City Stars or KCB is expected to accompany Nakuru All Stars to the second tier next season.
Hopeful Nairobi City Stars will return to the Hope Centre in search of a huge 7-0 win against visiting Mathare United. Any other result will automatically book them a place in the 2015 National Super League. Maximum points for the slum boys from this tie will steer them towards a top 8 finish which is still within sight.
Twahir Muhiddin’s future as Bandari head coach still remains uncertain after a disastrous campaign that has seen them bag only 5 wins. They welcome an incoherent AFC Leopards side which still has a realistic chance of clinching a top 8 finish. The two teams have performed below expectation and will aim to end the season on a high.
Despite having an additional game in hand against Ingwe, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno will be targeting a win against the soldiers to boost his sides’ chances of featuring in next season’s Top 8 tournament. On the other hand, Ulinzi’s target will be to consolidate their Top 4 status with three points.
Victory for Thika United against the Awasi based millers will not only be music to their fans’ ears but will also confirm their entry into the top half of the standings. The visitors will look to close down on the top 4 bracket
Both sides will hope to bounce back from their round 29 losses as they step up their pursuit of a Top 8 placing. Henry Omino will miss the services of Job Omuse and John Kiplang’at who are attending trials at Ethiopia and Dubai respectively.
A draw of any kind is all KCB require to be assured of top flight football next season. They will look to hand relegated Nakuru All Stars a memorable send off in what looks like an easy match on paper for the bankers.
Friendships as well as tactical acumen will be put to test when two heavyweights in the name of Tusker and Sofapaka go head to head at Ruaraka. Pressure will be on the visitors who have to win in order to stand a chance of being crowned champions while the hosts will go for a win to earn a respectable finish.
League leaders Gor Mahia will hope to defend their title even in the absence of Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito when they face off with Ushuru. The taxmen have been on a nine match losing streak but their coach Ken Kenyatta insists that it will finally end in propitious fashion against the Mighty K’Ogalo. However, Frank Nuttal insists that his charges can cope with the pressure and deliver the 14th league title to the Green Army.
FIXTURE
SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER
Bandari vs. AFC Leopards (Mombasa Municipal Stadium),
Sony Sugar vs. Ulinzi Stars (Wando Green Stadium),
Thika United vs. Chemelil Sugar (Thika Municipal Stadium),
Western Stima vs. Muhoroni Youth (Mumias Stadium),
KCB vs. Nakuru All Stars (City Stadium),
Tusker vs. Sofapaka (Ruaraka Complex),
Gor Mahia vs. KRA (Moi Stadium),
Nairobi City Stars vs. Mathare United (Hope Centre)
All matches start at 1400hrs EAT
