After a week that boardroom rulings clouded the Kenyan Premier league title race, action resumes with top contenders Gor Mahia and Sofapaka making a final dash towards glory. The remaining relegation slot may also be decided in the weekend with City Stars hot candidates to take a sojourn back to the National Super League should they fail to beat already relegated Top Fry this weekend. The battle for the Top Eight will also be tight as the season enters its second last weekend. Muhoroni Youth v Gor Mahia (Saturday 1400 EAT- Kisumu) Gor Mahia fans have descended to Kisumu in their drones hoping for a better result when they face Muhoroni Youth. A win for the defending champions will mean a win over Ushuru in the final game to retain the league title. Pressure is on the champions who lost 3-2 to Sofapaka last weekend in an ill-tempered clash in Machakos but their coach Frank Nuttal says they are up to the task of defending the title. K’Ogalo have 54 points and must win all their remaining fixtures which on paper look easy for them, but in reality, they are not. They know they must avoid the last minute pain they suffered in 2012 when they failed to beat Thika on the final day for the title to slip through their fingers. AFC Leopards v Sofapaka (Saturday 1400 EAT- Mumias) AFC Leopards stand between Sofapaka and a potential league title. The two face off once again for the second time in three weeks, the first, a GOtv semifinal battle at the City Stadium was abandoned with Ingwe trailing 2-0 and with their fans irritated by the proceedings on the pitch turned chaotic. This is their moment to revenge, but going with Sofapaka’s current form coupled with internal problems at the den, Leopards may find themselves chasing this game. But Ingwe wouldn’t want their ego pricked and pride dented twice by the same team and Sofapaka should beware of the marauding Leopards side that rarely loses in Mumias. Anything short of a win for Sofapaka will seriously dent their title chase. Ushuru v Chemelil Sugar (Saturday 1500 EAT- City Stadium) Chemelil have already given up the title chase but they would want to end the season on a high. They have posted good results away and against Ushuru who have lost eight games on the trot, the sugar men start as clear favourites. But Ken Kenyatta, the Ushuru coach says he has sorted the problem that has seen him lose eight games on the bounce after a very credible first leg in which he was in the top four. Ulinzi Stars v Bandari (Saturday 15:00 EAT- Nakuru) Ulinzi Stars has been the team of the second leg. They have won their last five games and look to have found the right formula. Coach Robert Matano is targeting a top three finish which is a high possibility. Bandari has survived relegation and will play with little ambition in this game. They have not been at the best in the second leg and against a physical and pacey Ulinzi side, they start as underdogs. KCB v Sony Sugar (Sunday 1500 EAT Ruaraka) Sony Sugar are battling for a Top Eight spot, KCB are fighting for their survival. That’s the only bit that makes this game interesting. At 25 points, a point will be enough to confirm survival. But Sony’s drive will be a place in the Top Eight which may make them push the bankers to the limit. Mathare United v Western Stima (Sunday 1500 EAT Nyayo) Both coach Stanley Okumbi of Mathare United and Henry Omino of Western Stima would want to finish in the top eight. It has not been a season both coaches would be happy with. Okumbi has posted some good results with a relatively young outfit while Omino whose side lie tenth can still make it to the top eight which is the target set for him by his employers. Top Fry v City Stars (Sunday 1500 EAT Nakuru) The two sides that will definitely be bidding the league goodbye will be spurring in Nakuru as they prepare for their lives away from the Kenyan Premier League. While Top Fry is already out of the league, they will be followed by City Stars unless they win this game and the next and Kenya Commercial Bank fails to collect a point in their final game. The mathematics do not favour City Stars because if they tie on 26 points with the bankers, the latter still enjoy a better goal difference. Tusker v Thika United (Sunday 15:00 EAT Ruaraka) A boardroom decision may have ended Tusker’s title dream after the Football Kenya Federation found them guilty of fielding 12 players in their game against Muhoroni. They have said they will appeal but the sideshow seems to have affected their title chase. As it stands now, Tusker’s focus has been shaken and Thika United can easily take advantage of that and take home all the three points from the brewers. They have done it before and it will not be a surprise if they do that.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 08:16:04 +0000