AFC Leopards invite bogey team Chemelil Sugar at Mumias Complex today as the Kenyan Premier League ( KPL) resumes after a one-week break.
AFC Leopards coach Luc Eymael
This is perhaps the last chance for Leopards to revive their title ambitions by collecting three points at home, but it won’t be easy. Chemelil Sugar bundled Leopardsout of this year’s KPL Top Eight tournament in a match marred by violence. Leopards go into this match on the back of a 2-1 loss against defending champions Tusker and would want to recover as they seek to make a serious bid for the title.
There has been controversy in the Leopards’ den this week when veteran midfielder Peter Opiyo suddenly left for the Middle East without the club’s permission.
But even without Opiyo, who has since returned,Leopards can still win. Coach Luc Eymael has the left-footed Paul Were to deploy in the middle of the pack to combine with Noah Wafula and Allan Wanga.
Chemelil have the confidence that they have always dominated Leopards, which gives them advantage. Peter Opondo is the man to get goals.
Tomorrow league leaders Gor Mahia invite champions Tusker at City Stadium in a match that may as well decide who will win the league. Gor are motivated after they were awarded three points from their abandoned match against Sony Sugar, which has extended their lead to the top of the standings to 44 points. But Coach Bobby Williamson insists that it is still too early to start celebrating.
“We are grateful although we deserved the points. It puts us in a good position to win the league. We are not celebrating but focusing on one match at a time,” he said.
Williamson will be glad that lethal striker Dan Sserunkuma is getting back to his best form, giving the Scot more options upfront. Tusker coach Robert Matano has warned Gor against premature celebrations, saying the league is a long way to go.
In Thika, hosts Thika United and Sofapaka battle it out in a top of the bill fixture today with each team keen to upstage the other as they seek to get to cement their second position on the log. Both sides are tied on 35 points on the log.
Fixtures:
Saturday: AFC Leopards v Chemelil Sugar ( Mumias), Thika United v Sofapaka (Thika), Western Stima v Muhoroni Youth (Bhukungu Stadium);
Sunday: Gor Mahia v Tusker (City), Karuturi Sports v Homeboyz (Naivasha) and Bandari v Ulinzi Stars (Mbaraki).
By Gilbert Wandera, The Standard
