B. OdhiamboFKFPL: Wounded Tusker host Nairobi City Stars while limping Leopards eye Posta's scalp
Reading Time: 5min | Sat. 11.11.23. | 08:00
Six matches will be staged across various venues in the country
Football Kenya Federation Premier League continues on Saturday after enticing matches on Friday with six matches set to take place across various venues in the country.
Struggling Tusker FC will be hosting Nairobi City Stars in their eleventh match of the season at the Kenyatta Stadium with the brewers keen to return to winning ways after a series of poor performances that has seen the Ruaraka-housed club pick one win in the last six FKF Premier League matches.
The Nicholas Muyoti-coached Simba Wa Nairobi head into the match seeking to build on last weekend’s 3-2 win over AFC Leopards and register their first back-to-back wins in the league in this term, and will need to be at their best defensively as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last nine league matches.
City Stars approach the match as underdogs despite their previous week's display against Ingwe as they have failed to win in the last three encounters between them and Saturday’s opposition, with Tusker clinching maximum points once while two encounters have ended in a stalemate.
AFC Leopards vs Posta Rangers
Expect an intriguing fixture with plenty at stake when AFC Leopards take on League leaders Posta Rangers at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi with the pair keen to bounce back to winning ways after a string of unpleasant results more so from the Big Cats.
Ingwe will be looking to record their second win of the campaign to ease the pressure of their underwhelming league start off their shoulders on Saturday afternoon.
The twelve times Kenya Premier League champions will need to be creative to beat the John Kamau-coached side that is flowing with confidence this term. Ingwe heads into the game on the back of a 3-2 drubbing from Nairobi City Stars and defeat against the Mailmen will sink them deeper into the relegation battle.
Leopards will miss the services of up to five key players when they confront log leaders with experienced goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, skipper Washington Munene, youngster Abubakar Musha, versatile player Lewis Bandi, and attacking midfielder Cliff Nyakeya set to sit out of action while Posta Rangers will do without the services of captain Kennedy Owino who is suspended after seeing a red card last weekend against KCB.
In spite of the poor start to the season, Ingwe approaches the fixture as the favorites having won the last three encounters out of the previous four meetings with the Rangers
KCB vs Bidco United
At Police Sacco Grounds, KCB will be seeking to get back to winning ways against Bidco United after playing a barren stalemate with Posta Rangers last weekend that was preceded by a 3-0 drubbing to Sofapaka.
Bidco have been very resolute this season, winning two of their previous five games while drawing three and conceding none in the aforementioned matches. However, Anthony Akhulia’s charges have struggled in this fixture failing to win against the bankers in the last four attempts.
Shabana vs Nzoia Sugar
At Raila Odinga Stadium in Homabay, Shabana will be keen to capitalize on Muhoroni Youth stumbling on Friday and snatch an escape route from the relegation zone when they host a struggling Nzoia Sugar with two points the difference between the duo.
Heading into the match, the glamour boys have labored since their return to the big stage with Kisii based club registering a single win since elevation to the top tier and have failed to nick wins in the last four games losing three in a bounce that had promotion earning coach Sammy Okoth relieved his duties this week.
On the other hand, the millers (Nzoia) will be seeking to build on last weekend’s 1-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks as they seek to register back-to-back wins for the first time this term and salvage their season that started on a low note. A win for the Godfrey Odour-coached side will lift them two steps on the FKF Premier League ladder by 12 points depending on results from other matches.
Gor Mahia vs Murang'a Seal
Elsewhere at Kasarani Main Stadium, defending champions Gor Mahia will be up against league debutants Murang’a seal with both sides’ eyes fixed on the top spot suppose Posta Rangers drop points against AFC Leopards.
Prior to the match, the duo are tied on 20 points however, Gor boost a superior goal difference and the twenty times Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions will be keen to extend their unbeaten run to thirteen games with the last defeat dating back to June when they lost 3-2 to Kakamega Homeboyz.
Mseal will need to be at their best both defensively and offensively to break the K’Ogalo backline that has not conceded in the last five games while the St. Sebastian Park-housed club have failed to keep a clean sheet in the previous three league games.
In another FKF-PL match slated on Saturday, Kariobangi Sharks entertain Bandari FC at the Kasarani Annex, with the Sharks keen to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Nzoia Sugar whereas Bandari will be seeking a third consecutive win since John Baraza took over the reigns at the Coastal based club.
FKF Premier League Week 11 Fixtures
Friday results.
Kakamega Homeboyz - Sofapaka FC 5-0 (4-0)
/Opoku 30, B. Eshihanda 40,43, A. Sifuna 45, C. Masinza 60/
Talanta FC - Muhoroni Youth 2-0 (1-0)
/I. Omondi 3, A. Tanui 90+10/
Kenya Police - Ulinzi Stars 2-0 (1-0)
/F. Kahata 58, A. Omar 71/
Saturday Fixtures
AFC Leopards SC vs. Posta Rangers FC- 3 PM
KCB FC vs. Bidco United FC-3 PM
Gor Mahia FC vs. Murang'a Seal FC - 4 PM
Tusker FC vs. Nairobi City Stars-3 PM
Shabana FC vs. Nzoia Sugar FC -3 PM
Kariobangi Sharks FC vs. Bandari FC-3:15 PM
