Sofapaka should have enough amunition to gun down limping Ulinzi soldiers in my view

Sofapaka Vs Ulinzi Stars Today 3pm

Kasarani

My Prediction: Sofapaka 2-1 Ulinzi Stars

I must say Kasarani Stadium looked so good on television on Thursday night during the Gor Mahia game and watching football there must be a great experience. I’ll try it soon. Focus: President’s Cup action begins today with 2009 Champions Sofapaka up against 2010 Champions Ulinzi Stars. Sofapaka had been struggling in recent weeks but returned last weekend to score four goals in Thika United’s net to earn a valuable three points in the league. There were rumours in the past month that the club was going to financial issues, but after Chairman Elly Kalekwa returned from abroad and dispelled the rumours, things have changed and the players are looking happier. And that sudden “happiness” meant results last week. Sofapaka has the richest squad in the league with the likes of John Barasa, Bob Mugalia who also scored last week, Anthony Kimani, Eugene Asike, Humphrey Mieno and the list goes on. With this line-up they should be at the top of the standings but I think Coach Salim Ali was still finding his place in the team. It’s taken a while and hopefully it’s not too late. Ulinzi Stars meanwhile were having a great run in the league but have stumbled all of a sudden.

They didn’t play last week after their match with Gor Mahia was postponed but the week before that they got a rare loss against Sony Sugar. And midweek this week they let a 1-0 lead over Sony, once again, go in the Top 8. I don’t know why they are slipping as they are still the same great side but it could just be a dip in form. Hopefully it’s temporary. This is a Cup contest though and a knock-out competition brings out the best in clubs. This game will be tough but I see the renewed vigour of Sofapaka shining through. Sorry Ulinzi.

AFC Leopards Vs Mathare United Today 3pm

Nyayo Stadium

My Prediction: Ingwe 2 – 1 Mathare

Oh my Nairobi West pubs and restuarants, stock up on Ingogho today please! Nyayo Stadium will be flooded with Ingwe fans who are starved of action after they were denied the pleasure of watching a match-up with Gor Mahia in the Top 8 last Sunday. Today they’ll definitely be lining up the stands in the other all premier league tie in the Presidents Cup knock out tournament. AFC are on top of the game and hopefully two weeks of no real competitive football hasn’t dampened their spirits. (Last Saturday’s friendly doesn’t count as competitive) They’ll be rearing to go and I’m afraid that Mathare will be on the receiving end of their anger of not playing against Gor last week. Mathare however have been going through a resurgence since the second half of the league begun. Wins of Western Stima and Sofapaka have given them the much needed confidence to face any side right now; and I don’t believe they are fearing a match-up against league leaders AFC Leopards. We have a game on our hands guys, but for some reason Ingwe usually do very well in this particular Cup tournament. Sorry Mathare

Gor Mahia Vs Borabu FC Sunday 3pm

City Stadium

My Prediction: Gor 4 – 0 Borabu

All I know about Borabu FC is that it’s a club from Kisii. Gor secretary general George Bwana, while speaking on Simba Super Soccer on Supersport this week, told me that they are not taking this game lightly and that any opposition is stiff competition. Yeah right! I think he was just being polite incase the unthinkable happens. But watching Gor play Tusker on Thursday I couldn’t help but believe that K’ogalo have come of age. They played with skill and drive and deserved to actually win that game by a bigger margin than they did. Continue to play like that and beating Borabu FC will be easier than the walk-over over AFC Leopards last week. Tee hee.

Tusker Vs Keroka Technical Sunday 3pm

Nyayo Stadium

My Prediction: Tusker 2 – 0 Keroka

Once again I don’t know much about Keroka Techn but I do know about Tusker. Tusker is like a wounded animal right now. The shame on not scoring a single goal at the CECAFA tournament, along with the loss to Gor Mahia in the Top 8 on Thursday, has bruised my favourite beer club. Tusker need a serious confidence boost and luckily they are getting a non league side to help them on their way to recovery before league action begins again. Tusker have been shooting blanks, but today I hope they have taken the correct medicine to find their scoring ways again.

Karuturi Sports Vs Nakumatt Sunday 3pm

Karuturi Stadium

My Prediction: Karuturi 1 – 0 Nakumatt

Somehow the powers that be have approved that this game be played at “Old Trafford” so Karuturi will be at their comfortable home base which they have missed so dearly. Karuturi are having a tricky time in the league and tournaments like this help their confidence. However I am touching on this game because of Nakumatt FC. There is somebody at the other end of @Nakumatt on twitter that is so polite. He wishes me a “happy week” “happy new month” and boasts about Nakumatt FC. I find it rather nice and I do hope to see Nakumatt get a win today; although it will be a tricky affair. It depends on which frame of mind the Karuturi players are in today; but I don’t see an upset. Sorry Nakumatt.