By Bonface Osano,
The long Labour Day weekend is here with us, what are your plans? Well, KPL have you covered with some high octane fixtures to ensure your holiday is enjoyable.
AFC Leopards Vs Sony Sugar FC
The Friday May 1, 2015 Labour Day fixture at the Nyayo stadium promises top entertainment when cash strapped “Ingwe” hosts the millers from Awendo. The wounded leopards succumbed to two successive losses going down 1-0 to both Tusker and Ushuru in their last fixtures in what Coach Zdravko Logarusic blamed on poor fitness and bad luck.
The match against tactically disciple Sony will not be a walk in the park for Ingwe and they will have to fight tooth and nail for maximum points that will see them jump to top five in the KPL log with 15 points.
First choice goal keeper Wycliffe Kasaya, midfielder Bernard Mangoli, Martin Kiiza and striker Austin Ikenna are still doubtful for this tie, the trio are racing against time to regain full fitness from various injuries.
Exuberant Sony who are 6th in the log will have a chance to move to third with a win over Ingwe; the millers beat fellow millers Chemelil FC 3-1 over the weekend and the Zedkiah Zico side will be seeking to maintain the tempo. The match kick off at 3PM.
Gor Mahia Vs Ulinzi Stars
The top of the table clash will be staged at the City Stadium on Saturday 2nd at 3PM. This match has traditionally been a tough one for both sides; the last four league matches between the two recorded a win each and two barren draws.
K’Ogalo is at the top of the table with 20 points from 8 matches and a win here will push their tally to 23. Meddie Kagere, Ali Abondo and Michael Olunga will lead the goal hunt for the champions; the trio has scored 15 goals among themselves, the on form keeper Boniface Oluoch on the other hand will be expected to keep another clean sheet at the back.
Coach Frank Nuttal will be spoilt for choice as his entire squad is fit and available for selection.
John Makwata who is on six goals thus far will be relied upon by the Soldiers to deliver goals for the six time champions, the ex-City Stars man has been on fine form and he is expected to give Gor’s rear guard difficult time.
A win for Ulinzi Stars will move them from third position to second position with 19 points.
Nakuru All Stars Vs Tusker FC
The renaissance by the Brewers will be challenged by strugglers All Stars on Saturday 2nd at the Afraha stadium in Nakuru, the hosts who are rock bottom in the KPL log and have been dishing out points generously are expected to offer bare minimal resistance to the Coach Francis KImanzi side.
Three points to Tusker will improve their 4th position in the log to top three with 18 points.
Nakuru All Stars have lost 7 of the 8 matches they have played this season letting in 21 goals in the process, the figures are underwhelming for a side expected to offer competition in a competitive league like KPL; this tie will be another desperate fight by the coach Noah Okidi side for survival. The match kicks off at 3PM.
City Stars Vs Sofapaka
Sofapaka will be back in action on Saturday 2nd against City Stars at Nyayo stadium after the midweek encounter against KCB which saw them share the spoils 1-1. Batoto ba Mungu has had a not so convincing season winning a paltry 3 matches in the last 8 fixtures , the 2009 KPL champions and 2014 runners up have their work cut out against a City side that has shown resilience and a never say die attitude in their matches.
Erastus Mwaniki and second choice keeper Barnabus Tiema are doubtful for the match due to injuries and coach Sam Timbe will relook into his squad for replacements. Enock Agwanda, Fiston Abdul and John Baraza will be the players to watch for goals in the Sofapaka side. Sofapaka are 7th in the KPL log and a win will push them to top five with 16 points.
City Stars are 15th in the log and they will be hunting for their second will of the season and hopefully jump out of the relegation zone.
KCB Vs Thika United
On Sunday 3rd KCB will be hosting the high flying Thika United at the Nyayo stadium from 3PM. The bankers came very close to registering the first away win of the season against Sofapaka on Wednesday but were denied by John Baraza’s last gasp strike to settle the tie at 1-1; stand in coach Elvis Ayany will be hoping to build on the spirited fight when they face the milk men for a positive result. KCB are 14th in the KPL log with 4 points from 8 matches.
Coach Tim Bryett of Thika United is a man on a mission, he has so far collected maximum points from 4 successive matches and his side deserves all the attention, besides they are playing some quality football. Johnson Macharia has scored in the last three matches for the Thika based side and he will be a key man to watch in this tie.
Three points against KCB could see Thika go top of the table with 21 points depending on how champions Gor’s match against Ulinzi go.
Mathare United Vs Muhoroni Youth
The slum boys will be out to impress their new sponsor Britam Insurance who pumped in 75 million shillings in a three year deal signed on Wednesday 29th. Both sides are on 10 points and a win for either side will see a move to top 10 in the KPL log. The match kicks off at 2PM at Nyayo stadium.
Chemelil Sugar FC Vs Ushuru FC
Chemilil lost away to Sony 3-1 while Ushuru lost 2-0 to Gor Mahia in their respective last fixtures. This tie will offer redemption for both sides; Chemelil is 13th in the KPL log with 7 points from 9 matches while Ushuru is 10th with 12 points from same number of matches. The match will be staged at the Kisumu stadium on Sunday 3rd at 3PM.
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