It has been 14 fixtures since the “Cane Cutters” from Awasi last lost a Kenyan Premier League match; that pretty much sums up the herculean task out of colors AFC Leopards will be facing tomorrow (Saturday 24) when the two lock horns at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium.
Reeling from a thorough 4-0 thumping away to Ulinzi Stars on Wednesday 21 in the Kenya Cup which effectively killed their slimmest dream of a silverware this season, Ingwe has nothing much to fight for in the tie against Youth except a respectable finish in the league.
Coach Zdrako Logarusic who sat quietly as the Soldiers turned his defense inside out on Wednesday will be hoping against all odds that the true Leopards will rise to the occasion and give a good fight even if for their own sake. The team had threatened not to honor the game over the now familiar song of unpaid salaries and allowances, but the fact that they agreed to travel the long journey to Lake side City could be a signal they are ready for the duel.
Ingwe passed the first test of this tie at their backyard with flying colors with a convincing 2-0 win over the Paul Nkata men, a result they could look back to for inspiration tomorrow even though the current circumstances are worlds apart compared to then. A double win for seventh placed Leopards over Youth could see them climb to third on the log on superior goal difference.
On the other side, it’s been smooth preparations for Muhuroni Youth who are currently camping as is the normal when they have match. Speaking to Soka25east.com from the undisclosed location confident Muhuroni Chief Executive Officer James Orundu promised nothing but three points vs Ingwe.
“We are not planning to lose a match any soon. The boys are psyched up for the match, and I believe they will deliver. We know the problems at the den but we will not underrate them.” Orundu said.
Three points against Leopards will also see Youth climb to third, their best ever position in the sixteen team league to crown a fairy tale season with just a match to go.
Youth top scorer Geoge Mandela who boasts of seven goals thus far and Wycliffe Ochomo who has five goals to his credit are expected to spearhead the goal hunt, with on form keeper Farouk Shikalo expected to retain the number one jersey.
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