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Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry is bullish that his charges will bounce back to winning ways when they take on relegation-threatened Nzoia Sugar in a crucial FKF Premier League fixture at Sudi Stadium tomorrow (Saturday).

The reigning champions saw their three-game winning run halted last weekend after battling to a 0-0 draw against a stubborn Kakamega Homeboyz, a result that cut their lead at the summit to eight points from 25 points. A win should have seen K’Ogalo open a 10-point gap but according to McKinstry, they will make amends against the Sugar Millers.

“Anytime we play against Homeboyz, it’s always a tough, physical game, more like the old school and we enjoyed the game,” he said, adding: “Any team offered an eight-point lead with nine games to go would take it. So, we go into the next game against Nzoia in a good mood, ready to make amends and carry the day.”

K’Ogalo will be favourites to go past Nzoia, who are currently languishing at the bottom of the 18-team table with 17 points. The game will provide Gor Mahia with a chance to rectify the first-round result, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Last season, Gor Mahia won the first meeting 1-0 before the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture. The last time Nzoia managed to beat Gor Mahia was in the 2021 season, a 2-0 outcome at Kasarani Stadium.

In other matches set for Saturday, Murang’a Seal will hope to make it two wins out of two when they face Nairobi City Stars, who lost 2-0 against Muhoroni Youth in their last assignment.

Bandari will be at home against Bidco United, Kakamega Homeboyz will entertain Kariobangi Sharks, Sofapaka will confront Ulinzi Stars in one of the matches set for live coverage, while KCB will be up against Kenya Police.

On Sunday, all eyes will be on the Tusker versus FC Talanta. The Brewers will be keen to return to winning ways having lost their last fixture 3-2 against Sharks. Tusker will also be keen to keep the pressure on table leaders Gor Mahia with only eight matches to conclude the season.

In the first round fixture, the two sides drew 0-0 while last season, the first meeting ended in a 2-2 draw while the reverse fixture finished 1-1. In the 2021 campaign, Talanta beat Tusker 2-1 in the first meeting before the Brewers recovered to win 1-0.

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards will hope to make amends when they face Posta Rangers, while on Monday, there will be a battle of relegation when Muhoroni host Shabana at Mamboleo Stadium.

While Muhoroni won their previous game 2-0 against City Stars, Tore Bobe were on the winning side, beating Posta 3-0 to register their fifth victory of the campaign. Muhoroni are sitting 16th with 25 points, four more than Shabana, who are a place below them.