The SportPesa Super 8 Premier League return leg continues to take shape with week 22 of the inaugural league scheduled to be played on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 across different grounds within Nairobi County.
With eight rounds to go, participating clubs will be working extra hard to match up the stiffness of the competition in order to finish in favourable positions on the league and conference table standings for a chance to continue with the competition next term.
SATURDAY MATCHES
JERICHO ALL STARS VS DIGUNA FC (3PM)
After falling 1-0 at the hands of Kiamaiko City in their last outing, Diguna FC have another high hurdle to jump when they face off with league toppers and hosts Jericho All Stars AT Camp Toyoyo grounds.
The West conference team who are placed 11th with 28 points will need more than a miracle when they take on Jericho who are overflowing with confidence after reclaiming the summit thanks to convincing 3-1 win over Metro Sport in their previous tie at the weekend, a result which saw the East siders gain control of the 16-team chart with 45 points.
Jericho will be keen to extend their lead atop after beating the Rongai based team 3-1 at their back yard in the first leg.
MASA VS TUK (1PM)
But before that, in an early kick-off at the same place, West conference bigwigs TUK will be away against MASA for a chance to set their title chase on correct bearing.
After Kawangware United slowed them down in a 1-1 deadlock last Saturday, the university students are looking to redeem their first leg 2-0 loss by the Makongeni outfit.
The students will be keen to utilise MASAs recent wobbly performance in the second-leg to bag the three points against the East conference team who have won a single match out of their last four attempts where they sit at position 6 with 31 points.
SUNDAY MATCHES
KAWANGWARE UNITED VS MELTA KABIRIA (3PM)
In what is poised to be a full-throttle battle, Meltah Kabiria takes on old rivals Kawangware United in a Dagoretti Derby at BP grounds.
After whipping Baba Dogo United 3-1 last Saturday, Melta will be seeking to follow up their impressive performance with a win against Kawangware United who are placed 12th with 26 points.
On the other hand, Meltah who are three spots above the visitors with 30 points will be out to stamp their authority in the region where they face a stiff competition from Kawangware United.
The match is expected to spark fireworks as both sides command a huge following from their respective areas in Dagoretti.
BABA DOGO UNITED VS SHAURI MOYO BLUE STARS (3PM)
Giant slayers Shauri Moyo Blue Stars will be looking to stretch their winning streak to three successive matches when they visit Baba Dogo United at Baba Dogo grounds.
The Shauri Moyo outfit has flashed their card as potential title hopefuls after hitting Jericho All Stars 1-0 and Kayole Asubuhi by a similar score in their last two matches respectively to sit 3rd on the log with 39 points.
Baba Dogo are not doing so well in the competition as are staring at relegation in the East conference where they are struggling at 14th with 18 points ahead of their home match with Blue Stars who thrashed them 3-0 in the corresponding fixture back in February.
AJAX FC VS KAYOLE ASUBUHI (3PM)
Second-placed Kayole Asubuhi are out to bounce back from their sour 1-0 loss to Blue Stars last weekend with a visit to Ajax FC at Nakeel grounds in Rongai.
But it will not be walk in the park for the Kayole outfit who have amassed 43 points as Ajax are equal to the task. In fact, West conference team has a good record at home are fresh from winning their previous match at home 3-2 against MASA leaving them 7th with 31 points.
While away, Ajax wasted a first half lead to settle for a 1-1 stalemate with the Kayole outfit and it will be a chance for them to pick the three points this time round.
KIAMAIKO CITY VS KABETE UNITED (1PM)
Kiamaiko City welcomes Kabete United at Huruma grounds.
Kiamaiko will be out to recover from their 4-2 defeat by Kabete in the opening leg to follow up their 1-0 victory in their last game against Diguna that left them 13th with 26 points. Kabete are three spots higher on the table standings with 28 points.
METRO SPORTS VS KIAMBIU YOUTH (3PM)
Metro squares it out with Kiambiu Youth at Drive-Inn grounds.
Fifth-placed Metro have racked up 34 points so far and will bank on home advantage to clinch three points from Kiambiu Youth who are placed 8th with 30 points.
African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com