The top spot will be on the line this weekend as the Kenyan Premier League’s eighth round of fixtures are played across the country.
AFC Leopards, who are enjoying one of their best-ever league starts in the season — averaging two points a game — will go to the summit should they outwit Ulinzi Stars in Machakos this evening.
Ingwe is just a point off top spot and has enjoyed a week full of positive vibes since their win over Sofapaka. Striker John Makwata won the season’s first Sports Journalists Association of Kenya/LG player of the month, days after his double gave Casa Mbungo’s charges their fourth win of the campaign.
On Thursday, the club held a largely successful fundraiser in Nairobi as they looked to alleviate the financial strife they have endured.
Climbing above fiercest rivals Gor Mahia with a positive result against the soldiers will crown what has been a memorable week for Ingwe.
Tusker is another team who have their eye fixed on the top spot. Robert Matano’s charges take on Nzoia Sugar knowing that victory will give them a chance of toppling the current leaders.
At the other end of the table, basement club Chemelil Sugar will be determined to get their first point of the season when they entertain fellow relegation candidates Kisumu All-Stars. Finances have been the bane of Chemelil’s struggles but coach Francis Baraza has challenged his players to put their woes behind them and fight for their first points. All-Stars will equally be motivated to get their win on board after a torrid start on their return to the top-flight.
That miserable run has heaped untold pressure on their veteran coach, Henry Omino, and defeat today might finally be the straw that broke the camels back. Going by their position and performances in their three seasons in the KPL, mentioning Kariobangi Sharks and relegation in the same breath would have been considered an abominable act.
But going by their poor start to the campaign, Sharks find themselves in that dreaded zone with only seven points in as many matches. Tomorrow, they will be in Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium to take on Zoo Kericho hoping to claim their second league win of the season.
All eyes will be on former footballer of the year Eric Kapaito. The striker has not hit the heights of the performances he displayed regularly en route to winning the golden boot in 2017 but there is no better side for him to get his season going than Zoo.
