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Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry threw a wind of caution to his players as they kick off round two of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League with a home fixture against Kariobangi Sharks tomorrow.

K’Ogalo, who are chasing a record 21st league title, will start the penultimate round buoyed by the fact they are seven points clear at the top of the 18-team table with 37 points.

However, McKinstry, who is gunning for his second title with the reigning champions, has cautioned his players to be wary of the threats posed by Sharks, whom he described as a difficult opponent in comparison to previous meetings between the two sides.

“It is always a competitive game between Sharks and Gor Mahia, we played them a few weeks ago, we know each other quite well, we played quite recently, similar players will be involved, Sharks like to move and pass the ball from the back, they are more physical and more direct side,” said McKinstry.

Gor Mahia remains the only unbeaten side in the top-tier this season and in their first-round meeting against Sharks, they came from a goal down to emerge 2-1 winners. Last season, the first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw before Gor Mahia won the second-round fixture 2-0. The last time Sharks beat K’Ogalo was in 2021, a 2-1 result at Thika Stadium.

While Gor Mahia have won their last four matches and drawn one, Sharks have won one, drawn two, and lost two and are sitting 13th on the table with 18 points.

In another match tomorrow, Kakamega Homeboyz will hope to end their three-match winless run when they host Bandari. Since defeating Shabana 2-0 on December 10, Abana Beingo have gone ahead to suffer defeats – 2-0 against AFC Leopards, 1-0 against Nairobi City Stars, and 3-0 against Kenya Police.

On Sunday, the focus will be on the Tusker versus Sofapaka game with the Brewers hoping to make it five wins out of five. The Brewers under Robert Matano have won their last four matches, the latest a 5-0 thumping of KCB that saw them move fifth with 28 points, nine fewer than Gor Mahia.

AFC Leopards will visit Muhoroni Youth seeking to keep their good run under coach Tomas Trucha, Shabana will face Nzoia Sugar with new coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo expected in the dugout for the first time, Bidco United will host Kenya Police, Nairobi City Stars will come up against Posta Rangers, Murang’a Seal will be at home against FC Talanta while Ulinzi Stars will entertain KCB. Two of the on form teams in the National Super League face off today afternoon in a Round 16 heavyweight duel at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County as the fight for honors heats up.

League leaders Naivas FC will be hosting third placed Mara Sugar who have 30 points in the log after 15 matches gone. Both teams have had a good recent run with the former having won four of their past five games while the sugar-men have clinched three matches in the last five contests. Mara have had the better of the Naivas side in the past four meetings leading by two wins with the other two games ending in ties.