- Leaders Gor Mahia face KCB in a top of the table clash
- Nzoia will face Kenya Police
- Tusker FC plays Ulinzi Stars
The FKF Premier League second leg swings into intense action this midweek before the international break, with several high profile matches lined up across different venues.
The biggest match of this round will be at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday when leaders Gor Mahia take on KCB in a top of the table clash. K’Ogalo have dropped points over the last five matches where they have only won twice and will be looking to get their campaign back on track.
They won their last match 1-0 against Bidco United and will want to swing in to KCB’s tie with the same momentum and winning mentality, head coach Jonathan McKinstry admitting it will be a tough duel.
“They are a very good and well organized team and we need to be at our best. We have the confidence of course winning the match before that game and we hope that we can carry it on to Friday when we play,” said the coach.
KCB come in from a loss
KCB celebrate their goal against Sharks
KCB come into the match off a 2-1 loss at the hands of Kariobangi Sharks and head coach Zedekiah Otieno, a former assistant coach and captain at Gor, will be looking to bounce back to winning ways against his ex employers.
The bankers won the first leg 1-0 in January and will be keen to complete a first ever double over the record Premier League champions.
Meanwhile at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, military side Ulinzi Stars host third placed Tusker, who are under pressure to conjure a result to keep pace with the leaders and ensure the gap is not increased.
Brewers dropped points against Talanta
Tusker FC coaches
The brewers dropped points in their last match against FC Talanta, drawing 1-1 and needing an 85th minute equalizer.
Against Ulinzi, a side they drew with 0-0 in the first leg, the alemen will be keen to battle for victory.
“It is a tough match but as Tusker, we love tough matches because that is where we thrive. We know they are a decent side and we have prepared well for them,” said coach Robert Matano.
On what his side has learnt from FC Talanta’s game, the coach said; “We need to take our chances and score. Against Talanta we had so many chances but we couldn’t get the ball in the net. It is something we have worked on and I am sure we will do better,” said the coach.
The brewers have a healthy squad and the only absentees are Tanzanian striker Ibrahim Joshua who has been out for close to a month with a knee injury while defender Tom Teka is out with a thigh injury.
Ulinzi meanwhile, placed seventh in the standings with 31 points are keen to push into the top five and victor at home against their former coach will be key in their ambitions.
They come into the match off a defeat, after losing 1-0 to Posta Rangers over the weekend.
Elsewhere in Bungoma, Nzoia Sugar hosts Kenya Police, the two sides lying side by side at fourth and fifth in the standings with 34 points, only separated by goal difference.
Police are chasing their first ever league title and Nzoia are keen to ensure their positive run so far does not come to waste.
FKF Premier League Thursday fixtures:
Mathare United vs Bandari (1pm), Sofapaka vs Kakamega Homeboyz (3:15pm – Kasarani Annex), Posta Rangers vs AFC Leopards (Nyayo National Stadium), Ulinzi Stars vs Tusker FC (Ulinzi Sports Complex), Vihiga United vs Kariobangi Sharks (Mumias), Wazito vs Nairobi City Stars (Muhoroni), Nzoia Sugar vs Kenya Police FC (Sudi Stadium, Bungoma).
You must be logged in to post a comment Login