AFC Leopards out to contain Bandari as Police seeks to extend unbeaten run
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 05.05.24. | 07:34
Ingwe lost 1-0 to Bandari in the first leg
AFC Leopards will host an FKF Premier League match at the Dandora for the first time this afternoon when they entertain Bandari FC from 4 PM.
Initially, the game was set to be played at the Nyayo National Stadium. Still, the damages caused by a section of Ingwe fans during the Mashemeji Derby saw the club slapped with a bill of half a million, which they were directed to pay before they could make use of the facility again. They are yet to pay the damages fine.
The game is Ingwe's first in the league since they lost to Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby. Last week, they took part in the Mozzart Bet Cup, beating Compel FC 3-1 to secure a semifinal ticket.
Facing Bandari, they come up against a winless side in the last three games. They've lost one and drawn two.
The Dockers also lost their last assignment on the road, going down 1-0 to Ulinzi Stars FC.
The first leg meeting between the two sides in Mombasa ended in a 1-0 win for the home team, and Ingwe will be seeking revenge in Dandora.
Leopards currently occupy 9th place in the log with 39 points, while 4th placed Bandari have 45 points.
It will be interesting to see if Ingwe's coach, Tomas Trucha, recalls goalkeeper Levis Opiyo back to the starting XI.
Opiyo came under fire after his error of judgement resulted in Gor Mahia scoring the derby-winning goal in the Mashemeji Derby a fortnight ago.
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He was dropped for the game against Compel, but his coach has been backing him since the incident.
“Even though goalkeepers make a mistake, it’s visible, but when strikers make one, they just need a chance. So he knows that it was not a good decision, but at the same time, it’s not the reason we lost the game because, against 10-man, we should have scored goals," Trucha said.
“I told him it’s football, and we support you.”.
At the Mumias Sports Complex, Kakamega Homeboyz will play host to Mozzart Bet Cup semifinalists Kenya Police FC.
Homeboyz will be desperate to win in order to bounce back from last weekend's Cup exit after going down to KCB at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi.
However, they face a formidable Police team that's yet to lose a game across all competitions in 2024, and it is a stretch they will be keen to prolong when they come up against Patrick Odhiambo's men.
The first leg meeting between the two teams ended in a comfortable 3-0 triumph for Police.
In the other games, Nairobi City Stars will host Ulinzi Stars in Machakos before paving the way for the game between Posta Rangers and FC Talanta.
FKF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHWEEK 28
Saturday Fixtures
KCB 0-3 Kariobangi Sharks (0-3)
/J. Makwata 10,39, J. Masaba 39/
Sofapaka 0-1 Shabana (0-0)
/B. Michira 55)
Murang'a Seal 1-3 Gor Mahia (1-1)
/J. Kiplagat 34- A. Odhiambo 14, B. Omalla 76, 90/
Muhoroni Youth 1-3 Bidco United (0-1)
Sunday Fixtures
2.10 Nairobi City Stars 3.05 Ulinzi Stars 3.60
2.45 Kakamega Homeboyz 2.95 Kenya Police 3.00
AFC Leopards vs Bandari
2.15 Posta Rangers 3.05 FC Talanta 3.45
**Odds are subject to change**
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