- Leopards have three points from three draws
- Pressure is mounting on coach Tom Juma
- Gor Mahia will host KCB at Nyayo
Under pressure Tom Juma will hope for better fortunes as his side AFC Leopards takes on new boys Shabana FC at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata on Sunday. Leopards are winless in the first four matches of the season with three draws and a loss, and pressure is mounting on Juma, who took charge of the team at the start of the season after the departure of Belgian Patrick Aussems.
However, despite the pressure, Juma believes that his side will come good, and says it is just a matter of time before they start grinding results.
“I believe we have a good team. We are seemingly struggling because we have a new team and we are yet to gel as well as we would have wished, but it is coming. We are now on four matches and I see some improvement,” noted the tactician.
Juma was inches close to attaining his first win of the season last weekend, but a last gasp equalizer saw his side drop points in a 2-2 draw with Police FC last weekend.
But, they will hope to put up a similar performance and probably go a notch higher and get all three points.
They come up against a Shabana side also reeling to get its first win of their Premier League return. The Glamour boys have drawn twice and lost the other two of their first four matches of the season, and pressure is also on their shoulders from their massive fanbase to get results.
Gor Mahia take on KCB at Nyayo
Gor Mahia players celebrate their win over Kariobangi Sharks. PHOTO/Capital FM
Meanwhile at the Nyayo National Stadium, defending champions Gor Mahia will be up against KCB in a tough duel. K’Ogalo are third in the standings with eight points from two wins and two draws, but could go to second with a win.
The holders have been off to a relatively good start to the season, but coach Jonathan McKinstry still wants more improvement from them.
“There is still some areas of our game that we need to do better. It is still early in the season and not everything will work out 100 percent, but I believe we will keep improving as the season continues,” noted McKinstry.
Their last outing was a 1-1 draw away to Kakamega Homeboyz at the Bukhungu Stadium, and they hope to bounce back to winning ways.
They come up against a KCB side that travelled to Bukhungu in midweek and clinched maximum points, in a 2-0 victory.
They however hope that the effects of the long travel and fatigue will not catch up with them, as coach Bernard Mwalala looks to continue hoisting his side up the table.
Tusker plays FC Talanta at Ruaraka
Tusker FC players celebrate Deogratious Ojok’s goal
At the Ruaraka Complex, former champions Tusker FC face off with FC Talanta, a side that has proved a tough nut to crack for Robert Matano and his charges.
Last season, they held the brewers to back to back draws, and in the first leg, came from 2-0 down to draw the game 2-2.
For Tusker, they are keen to keep their winning run going, having bounced back to beat Muhoroni Youth 1-0 at the same facility last weekend.
“We are building momentum step by step but I am happy with how we are improving in each match. There is still a lot of work to do but I have faith that we will be a very strong team,” said Tusker’s coach Robert Matano.
The team has been boosted with the return to training of skipper Charles Momanyi, though he is not expected to be available for squad selection as he is yet to get proper match fit.
Talanta have won only once this season, and they come into the tie fresh from a 3-1 drubbing at the hands of Bidco United last weekend.
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