Bandari out to reduce gap between them and league leaders, Tusker

A high-flying Bandari have an opportunity to slice the gap between them and Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) leaders Tusker to seven points when they host Nzoia Sugar today at the Mbaraki Stadium.

The coastal based side scooped all available points last month to resuscitate their title hopes and play host to the sugar millers aware that three points will not only whittle down the gap but thrust them to second on the log.

Currently, The Dockers are ranked third with 25 points after fourteen matches while Nzoia are placed eleventh with 17 points

Bandari's quest to catch up with the runaway league leaders will however be put to test by the brave Nzoia who are oozing in confidence after beating Gor Mahia 2-1 in their last match.

Pundits had not given the sugar millers a chance to gather a point from their last month matches against the tough opponents who included three former champions but a win over the free-spending KCB and Gor Mahia flipped the script.

The Bungoma based club also gave Tusker a run for their money sending yet another signal that they are no longer league minnows.

Ahead of the match, Bandari's technical bench has something to smile about following the return of Johanna Mwita who has recovered from illness.

"We know Nzoia are in good form but that does not send shivers down our spines. We respect but do not fear them. We are not looking at where the win will take us, the most important thing is to collect maximum points at home. We are happy to have Mwita back into the squad after a successful bout with illness," said an impeccable source from the club who sought anonymity 

Nzoia's Cliff Kasuti will be out to play against his former club so is Bandari centre half Brian Otieno 

In another match lined up for the day, AFC Leopards will be gunning for their third win under coach Patrick Aussems when they play league returnees Nairobi City Stars at the Kasarani Stadium.

Leopards are riding on good form after downing both Ulinzi Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz but they have to worry about City Stars recent run which has seen them string three wins in a row.

City Stars quartet of Peter Opiyo, Aziz Okaka, Salim Abdallah and Ezekiel Odera alongside second assistant coach John Amboko will hope to serve their former employer bitterness. On the other hand, Tedian Esilaba will also be facing his immediate former employer.

Ingwe are ranked third with 25 points while City Stars sit eighth with 19 points.