Mathare United, Vihiga Bullets and Wazito are rubbing their hands with glee as they take a late stab at the 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) premier league season this week.

Today, Wazito start their campaign against Bidco United of Thika at Muhoroni Stadium while Vihiga will aim their bullets at Posta Rangers at Thika Stadium.

Mathare face a tricky opening match against fast-rising Nzoia Sugar at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani main stadium.

The three johnny-come-lately had been relegated to the less prestigious national super league after the 2022 action before FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) annulled the decision since the league was not recognized by the world football governing body Fifa.

In essence, two super league teams which had gained promotion to the premier league including APS Bomet and Fortune Sacco have been condemned to playing in the second-tier league for the second straight season in a decision that left their fans disenchanted.

Yesterday, FKF released a programme of nine matches before the league takes a break this weekend for Christmas and New Year festivities and shall resume on January 4, 2023.

According to FKF Head of Communication Ken Okaka, super league action shall also take a break to allow players to join their families for the holidays.

As for Wazito, they could not have asked for a tricky opening match as they will be up against a vengeful Bidco side that seemed to have flattered to deceive in the league.

Perfect start

 The Thika side made a perfect start with a 2-0 win over Nairobi City Stars before falling 2-1 to Gor Mahia coupled with an additional slump to KCB by a similar margin. Surprisingly, Anthony Akhulia’s boys have been playing quite well only coming short of conjuring up descent results and it would be in order to say that another loss at the Muhoroni sugar belt will be unacceptable to their fans.

In Kasarani, Mathare face what appears a baptism of fire against a Nzoia side that has lately been a joy to watch and if their 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars is anything to go by, then the Slum Boys will be hard-pressed to evade a loss.

However, the weekend highlight should be the match at Nyayo Stadium between Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards.