FKFPL: KCB clash with Police as Sofapaka, Bidco lock horns in relegation battle

The Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) continues to heat up, with the first leg approaching its conclusion, as two matchweek 16 games are lined up for today, Friday, 9 January.

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KCB FC will play host to defending champions Kenya Police at the Moi International Stadium, Kasarani, as Sofapaka tussles with Bidco United at Kasarani Annex.

Ahead of today's matches, AFC Leopards are at the summit of the league table with 27 points, one more than second-placed Gor Mahia, with Kakamega Homeboyz closing the top three with 24 points.

At the other end of the table, Kariobangi Sharks sit at the bottom with 12 points and are joined in the relegation zone by Sofapaka and APS Bomet, both with 13 points each.

KCB FC VS KENYA POLICE FC

The first match of the day will see KCB take on Police at 1500 hrs in what is expected to be a high-octane clash.

The two teams form part of the title race pack. Police are currently sixth on the log with 22 points, five shy of Leopards but with two games in hand, while KCB are a point and a place behind the law enforcers.

Police will therefore be out to ensure that they do not lose the advantage of the games in hand by securing victory over the Bankers.

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The 2024 Mozzart Bet Cup champions head into the match on a bad run of form, having failed to win any of their last three league games.

In the three matches, Police drew 0-0 with Leopards and lost 1-0 to Murang'a Seal before settling for a 2-2 draw against Kakamega Homeboyz.

Head coach Dujan Stojanovic will also be aiming to guide the team back to winning ways to keep the title hopes alive.

For Bankers, they have had a good run, save for their 3-1 loss to Shabana in their last league match, which brought to an end a five-match unbeaten run.

The two sides have met five times, with Police claiming victory twice and KCB once, while two ended in a draw. Last season, they drew 1-1 in the first leg, while the second leg ended 2-1 in favor of Police.

KCB may call on former Police midfielder Francis Kahata in the match after he signed for the club on Thursday, 8 January, and was involved in the team’s final training session for today's clash.

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KCB midfielder Rowland Makati is confident of the team’s preparations and ability to get back to winning ways.

“The mood in camp has been great. Everybody is psyched up for the match, and considering we lost our last match, we are going for nothing but a win,” said Makati.

Sofapaka vs. Bidco United

Unlike the KCB versus Police clash, Sofapaka and Bidco United will all be eyeing a win that will help them in their quest to disentangle from the relegation matrix when they face off at Kasarani Annex from 1600 hrs.

Sofapaka are in the relegation zone with 13 points, while Bidco are just a place above the relegation zone with 14 points.

Both teams head into the match on a poor run of form. Batoto Ba Mungu have not won any of their last seven matches, while the Oilers are on a 10-match winless streak, the longest by any team in the league this season.

While Sofapaka’s biggest problem, according to statistics, is their leaking defense that has conceded 17 goals, Bidco has a blunt attack that has scored only seven league goals, the lowest in the league this season.

Bidco, who have kept seven clean sheets this season, will begin life without goalkeeper coach Sam Koko, who crossed over to reigning Mozzart Bet Cup champions Nairobi United.

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On a positive note, coach Antony Akhulia will be able to call on the services of former Gor Mahia striker Samuel Onyango, who signed for the club on Thursday, 8 January.

The teams have had even fortunes in their last five meetings, with both securing two wins and the other match ending in a stalemate.

Last season, Sofapaka won 2-0 in the first leg, while Bidco emerged 2-1 victors in the second leg.