AFC Leopards eye fifth spot as they take on Sharks

AFC Leopards will be seeking to pile more misery on the Kariobangi Sharks when the two teams face off at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon in an FKF Premier League tie.

Unbeaten in seven matches, the Leopards will be out to inflict more misery on a Kariobangi Sharks side that has lost its last two matches to Nzoia Sugar FC and Mathare United. The midweek loss to the Slum Boys came as a shock to many.

Leopards have had a long rest. They were last in action ten days ago, when they put six past a sorry FC Talanta side, and they will be seeking to stretch their unbeaten run to eight games against William Muluya's side.

Whereas the Leopards, who are enjoying a relatively good run, the Sharks have just three wins all season, and they could be feeling the implications of signing so many untested players before the new season started.

On paper, the Leopards can be said to be favorites but this has never been a comfortable fixture for Ingwe. The two teams have met 11 times competitively since 2018. Ingwe have just two wins, the Sharks have four, and the rest have ended in draws.

Ahead of the match, Ingwe goalkeeper Levis Opiyo has so much confidence in his team and backs them to be in the title race this season.

"What I know is that the race will be a marathon because we still have the second leg to come. In the Kenyan Premier League, history has it that the winner does not win the title with such a big gap. Last season, the league was won on goal difference," he said.

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Sharks coach William Muluya who was far from impressed with the performance against Mathare United hinted that he could make changes against Ingwe.

"We need to give our best performance in every match, despite the current status of the team in the standings. There are certain changes we will need to make, but all in all, I must say the team is getting better by the day," Muluya said.

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In the other league fixture taking place in Nairobi, Anthony Akhulia's Bidco will face Sofapaka at the Kasarani Annex Stadium with the hope of recording back to back wins for only the second time this season.

Having ended their four match winless streak last week with a 0-3 victory against struggling Vihiga Bullets, the Thika based side have a chance to cement their place in the top ten should they manage a win.

On the other hand, Sofapaka will be looking to bounce back following their 0-1 loss against KCB last time out.

With only a point separating the two sides who sit in 10th and 12th position respectively, the tie promises to be a close affair.

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The game kicks off at 1500EAT.

In Kakamega, coachless Vihiga Bullets, who have lost the last nine out of their ten games, will welcome KCB at the Bukhungu Stadium.