Sofapaka vs AFC Leopards’ derby to headline weekend FKF Kenyan Premier League matches
By Dennis Mabuka, November 24, 2023After the two-week FIFA international break which saw Kenya’s Harambee Stars lose 2-1 to Gabon and defeat Seychelles 5-0 in World Cup qualifying matches, the FKF Premier League resumes with nine matches lined up across the country tomorrow and Sunday.
The highlight of the matchday 12 fixtures will be at Machakos County where Sofapaka will host rivals AFC Leopards in the ‘Cats derby.’ Batoto ba Mungu and Ingwe have been struggling in the top flight this campaign with the former currently lying at the bottom of the log with seven points while the latter are placed 15th on nine points.
While Sofapaka have managed two wins, one draw, and suffered eight defeats, Ingwe have registered one win, recorded six draws, and suffered four defeats. Sofapaka’s recent run of results is not worrying President Elly Kalekwa, who has kept a brave face and insisted they will get out of the position.
“It is just a matter of time before we haul ourselves from the bottom of the log, it is not a good position to be in, but the league is a marathon, we have just played 11 matches and that is not enough to decide the destiny of the league, we will move up and I promise our fans Sofapaka will never be relegated,” Kalekwa told People Sports.
Out of the last six matches between the two sides, Ingwe last beat Sofapaka in 2020 with a 3-0 result. Since then, three matches have ended in a draw with Sofapaka winning the other two. Last season, the first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw before Sofapaka won the second fixture 2-1.
Ingwe coach Tomas Trucha, who since taking charge at the Den from fired Tom Juma, has managed five matches – losing two, drawing two, and winning one – has called on his charges to perfect the art of scoring goals insisting that is their main undoing.