NSL: Vihiga Bullets seek redemption against Mathare United in Friday action

National Super League action enters round twelve with one match slated on Friday afternoon.

After a slow start to the campaign, Vihiga Bullets are gearing up for a crucial showdown against League leaders Mathare United at the Ruaraka Grounds.

The once-vibrant buzz surrounding Bullets after the coming of owners quickly fizzled out after the club failed to turn around their fortunes and instead initiated a massive movement of players out of the team that has had the former Football Kenya Premier League side sit rock bottom of the twenty-team table.

Bullets, languishing in the depths of a winless streak that extends to seven matches, are desperately seeking a turnaround after a disastrous run that leaves the team steering at another relegation in two seasons.

Bullets will be parading a formidable lineup that includes but will have to do without the services of defenders Gilbert Otieno and Isaac Maina who are suspended by the club, also expected to miss the clash is youngster Kevin Atito who parted ways with the club under unclear circumstances at the start of the week.

Bullets will need to be at their best defensively to stop a free-flowing Mathare that has had goals coming from every department and will be keen to adjust their goal difference when they face a Bullet side that has not kept a clean sheet in eight consecutive league games.

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On the other side of the pitch, Mathare is enjoying life in the second tier since their demotion and will be seeking to bounce back from last weekend’s draw against Rainbow FC and open a six-point gap at the helm of the league as they stage an immediate FKF Premier League return

The slum boys head into the match on a run of seven matches without defeat with the last loss in the league dating back to October in the 3-1 humbling at the hands of Mombasa Stars.

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Despite the poor run, Vihiga heads into the match with a better head-to-head record with the George Owoko-coached team picking two wins out of the previous three meetings with Mathare while the slum boys have collected maximum points once.

A win for Bullets will lift them out of the relegation zone to fourteenth place on the log while Mathare maintains their status at the summit of the league with a six-point advantage before weekend matches.

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National Super League Weekend Fixtures

Friday

Vihiga Bullets vs Mathare United – Ruaraka Grounds (2pm)

Saturday

Silibwet Leons vs Migori Youth - Bomet Stadium (3pm)

Kisumu All Stars vs Kajiado FC - Moi Stadium (3pm)

Luanda Villa vs Mombasa Stars - Mumboha Grounds (1pm)

Gusii vs MCF FC - Cardinal Otunga High School (1pm)

Naivas FC vs Mulembe United - Kenyatta Stadium (3pm)

Rainbow vs Mara Sugar – Ildamat Stadium (3pm)

Sunday

Nairobi United vs Darajani Gogo - Kasarani Annex (1pm)

Dimba Patriots vs SS Assad - The Wolves Den (3pm)

Kibera Black Stars vs Mombasa Elite – M-Pesa Foundation (11 am)