AFC Leopards, Sofapaka clash in crunch tie
By People Reporter, October 26, 2019
Sofapaka and AFC Leopards are rated as some of the teams which enjoy partisan support in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and their match at Narok County Stadium Saturday has all the ingredients of a thriller.
Moreover, the two teams are of a similar context of strength and when one wins over the other it is usually by a slim margin.
However, among the two, it is Sofapaka who will be under pressure to chalk up the maximum three points considering that they lost their last fixture (2-1 against Nzoia Sugar in Bungoma on October 19), unlike Leopards who left it late to secure a 1-1 draw against Western Stima the same day in Machakos.
Sofapaka deputy coach John Baraza remained optimistic that the team, which had its sponsorship renewed by Betika, will prevail at his or her own turf.
“Against Nzoia, there were frailties which we have rectified. Leopard is a strong team but obviously, they should understand that we are itching to have all the three points in the bag,” said Baraza.
Leopards Technical Director Tom Juma said the big cats are itching for victory to gain a touching distance on Gor Mahia who are at the summit.
“We have instructed the players to work hard and although we will be away, I believe a convincing victory can be picked from anywhere. We want to score early goals in the match instead of waiting for the closing moments like during the match against Stima,” said Juma.
In the meantime, it remains to be seen if cash-strapped Chemelil Sugar and Sony Sugar will give away a walkover for the second consecutive weekend.
Sony Sugar, who have already given walkovers to AFC Leopards and Bandari, are scheduled to host Kisumu All-Stars in Awendo while Chemelil Sugar, who gave points to Tusker without touching the ball, are set to battle it out with Kakamega Homeboyz at Chemelil Complex.
During a weekend shadowed by the CAF Confederation Cup match between Gor Mahia and DC Motema Pembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Wazito continues with their sacked coaches Stanely Okumbi and Fred Ambani.
Wazito’s new tactician Melis Medo, formerly of Mount Kenya United and Sofapaka, will be seeking for a perfect start with a tricky match against Posta Rangers which will the first of the double-header at Narok County Stadium on Sunday.
In Bungoma on Saturday, Kariobangi Sharks will face hosts Nzoia Sugar in a mouth-watering that is pretty hard to predict the outcome.