Title credentials at stake for in-form Tusker and patchy Gor Mahia in mouthwatering Saturday clashes

Saturday 22 April is set to add another twist in the already exciting season as seven matches take place around the country for Round 26 of the FKF Premier League.

With lots of eyes on the exchange of hands on top of the table, the weekend will also provide an interesting opportunity for the teams perched at the opposite end of the table - all hopeful of a big leap that eases their nerves from relegation.

Nzoia Sugar vs Tusker FC.

Labeled by football faithfuls as a ‘potential banana skin’, table toppers and defending champions Tusker FC will be making their long trip to Bungoma to play fourth placed side Nzoia Sugar at the dreaded Sudi Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Brewers have been on a ridiculous run of form; seven consecutive wins while keeping five consecutive clean sheets and in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday this week, the Robert Matano - coached side climbed to the summit of the league thanks to a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Wazito FC.

“Nzoia is a very strong team so we have to be ready and be at our best,” Tusker head coach Robert Matano told the club media on Friday afternoon ahead of the game. “We understand the task ahead of us and we have to be prepared for anything. But we are Tusker also and we are the defending champions so we will see how to control the tempo in that game.”

To say Sudi Stadium is Nzoia’s hunting ground would be an understatement as they are yet to lose at home this season, with their last loss there coming on 15 May last year in a 0-1 loss to visiting Wazito.

Nzoia Sugar themselves have steadied their ship this season are on a five game unbeaten run after seeing off Mathare United 3-0 last weekend.

A win for Tusker and a big hurdle skipped over in the title race, dropped points and an opportunity for chasers Gor Mahia to pounce.

The match kicks off at 1500 EAT.

Kenya Police vs Gor Mahia.

Kasarani Stadium will be the place to be on Saturday as KOgalo take on fifth placed Kenya Police in an afternoon clash scheduled for 1500 EAT kickoff.

Gor Mahia- after jumping out to a lead on top of the table and seemingly looking like the favorites to win it all, have suffered a few setbacks in the previous weeks - a 2-2 draw with Posta Rangers on Sunday and a barren draw early April against Sofapaka,

Even by his own admission, Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry is under pressure and with many questions surrounding the squad tweaks mid game on Sunday, a win against a slowly becoming rivalry will definitely suffice.

Following a 4-0 win over Vihiga Bullets on Wednesday, Kenya Police will hope to overturn their 2-1 first leg to Gor in February and keep closer to the top four teams in the league.

Gor Mahia boss McKinstry admits to pressure as FKFPL title chase approaches the homestretch

After grabbing another brace, an interesting look in this game will be one Benson Omalla and what he conjures up for the Green Army.

Kariobangi Sharks vs City Stars.

In Saturday’s early kickoff fixture at the Kasarani Annex, Nicholas Muyoti’s Nairobi City Stars will be keen to build on their 5-2 drubbing of bottom side Vihiga Bullets last weekend and ease some pressure from themselves in a very tight battle at the bottom of the table.

Backing his side to make a big finish, City Stars forward Dennis Oalo following Sunday’s win said; “The team has now gelled very well and I can say that better results are on the way. The Simba wa Nairobi fraternity should know that we won’t disappoint them. We need their support now,”

William Muluhya’s Sharks on the other hand will prove a tough nut as they have been all season despite having a poor run in their last three games that has seen them lose all while only scoring once.

The first leg meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw.

Mathare United vs Posta Rangers.

In another pivotal fixture at the bottom of the table, Samuel Koko’s Mathare United will be looking forward to waking up from their slumber that pushed them back to 16th place last weekend after losing their third match in a row without scoring as they welcome tenth placed Posta Rangers at the Ruaraka Stadium.

“We have no option but to come back from our setbacks,” Koko told Mozzart Sport on Friday. “It has been a disappointing run and not just because we lost but because we didn't deserve to. That must change on Saturday.”

Standing in their way though will be John Kamau’s side that is unbeaten in their last three, and coming off a 2-2 comeback performance against Gor Mahia.

The two sides drew 1-1 in the first leg in January and Saturday afternoon will serve another interesting fixture, as will the rest of the day’s games as follows;

Wazito vs Ulinzi Stars - Muhoroni Stadium (1500 EAT)

Bandari vs Talanta - Mbaraki Grounds (1500 EAT)

Sofapaka vs Bidco - Kasarani Annex (1515 EAT).