•AFC Leopards face Western Stima this afternoon
•Sofapaka to miss first choice keeper Shikhalo in Chemelil clash
Image: / OLIVER MORGAN
After adding former defender, Anthony Kimani, to their dugout, AFC Leopards are hoping the move will yield immediate returns as they continue their Kenyan Premier League relegation dogfight with a clash against Western Stima this afternoon.
Ingwe, who find themselves in the bottom two yet again, appointed Kimani as an assistant to Andre Casa Mbugo, but there is, however, only little the technical bench can do and the onus is very much on the players to earn their corn.
Jaffery Owiti, Mike Kibwage and Yusuf Mainge who were all with the national under 23 team are set to feature in the tricky clash despite hardly training with their teammates this week.
It’s no secret that Leopards defence has been leaking goals regularly and it is such holes they will need to plug to get the victories they need to avoid relegation. Salim Abdalla has not been the stalwart he was earlier in his career but work on the training pitch with Kimani may go a long way in sorting their defensive problems.
Forward Whyvonne Isuza has struggled to match the heady performances of last season inevitably leading to Ingwe’s struggles. With the leading contenders out of action, third-placed Bandari get another opportunity to stake a claim for top spot.
The Dockers are away at Chemelil Sugar, days after suffering a damaging loss to Sony in Awendo. Only a point separate them from top of the table Sofapaka and with a superior goal difference, a point will be enough to take them to the summit.
They will yet again be without first choice goalkeeper, Farouk Shikalo, who is away with the national team for the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana with Harambee Stars having already qualified alongside their hosts this evening.
Bernard Mwalala’s side have historically been poor travellers, a trend that will need to change if they are to end their wait for a championship gold medal.
Tomorrow, two teams still harbouring relegation fears go head to head. Posta Rangers and KCB find themselves in the cross-hairs of relegation largely due to a poor start to the campaign. Results in recent weeks have given them courage that they can eventually beat the drop.
It is results in such matches, however, against direct relegation rivals that will go a long way in determining their fate.