FKFPL: AFC Leopards prey on Bandari as Tusker entertain Gor Mahia at Kasarani

Football Kenya Federation Premier League action will continue on Sunday after the enticing matches on Saturday, with six games lined up across the country.

Stuttering AFC Leopards will face Bandari at Mbaraki Sports in a highly hyped game of the weekend, with the big cats hunting for their maiden win of the season.

It will be the first match for both sides since severing ties with their tacticians. Bandari parted ways with long-serving club member Twahir Muhiddin whereas Ingwe sent Tom Juma packing, all sackings attributed to a disastrous start to the season.

Day of firsts: Posta suffer defeat to Talanta as Sofapaka down Police in Machakos

Ingwe started the season on a bad note and are yet to win any league match six fixtures into the season, having played four stalemates while dropping maximum points against Gor Mahia and KCB, a performance that leaves them at the bottom of the league standings.

Prior to the match, the Dockers remain winless in three games following back-to-back defeats from Bidco United and Kakamega Homeboyz preceded by a barren stalemate against KCB.

Bandari have struggled in this fixture, failing to win in the previous four attempts, with the last victory against Ingwe dating back to October 2021.

Furthermore, the Coastal club have struggled defensively in this match, failing to keep a clean sheet in ten successive matches and failing to find the back of the net in the previous three encounters with the Leopards.

AFC Leopards boast the best statistical record in the bout, with nine victories, whereas Bandari have six wins. The sides have shared spoils on five occasions.

Tusker vs Gor Mahia

Moi Sports International Center, Kasarani, will play host to the tie between defending champion Gor Mahia and twelve-time FKF Premier League winners Tusker.

Gor, playing in familiar territories, are seeking to continue with their impressive start to the season and reduce the point gap with the league leaders, Posta Rangers, to one as they charge towards a 21st league title.

Prior to the match, Gor are coming from a comfortable Mashemeji Derby over arch rivals AFC Leopards and will seek to sink Robert Matano's brewers in what is a must-win game for the experienced expert, or he faces the axe following a calamitous start to the season.

K'Ogallo head into the match on an unbeaten run of eight games, with the club's last defeat dating back to June in a 2-3 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz.

Nzoia Sugar vs Kakamega Homeboyz

The millers entertain Kakamega Homeboyz at the Sudi with the Godfrey Odour-instructed side seeking to end their false start to the season that has seen the Sugar Men record one win in six league matches.

Nzoia have struggled in this fixture and remain winless in the last ten encounters, with the last victory against Abana Abeingo coming in September 2019 when they humbled Homeboyz 3-1.

A win for Nzoia will lift them out of the relegation zone while moving Patrick Odhiambo-coached Kakamega to the top five on the league standings.

Ugandan international David Kasirye who was on target during the Kakamega Homeboyz and FC Talanta match that ended in a six-goal thriller is keen on adding to his tally as the two neighboirs clash.

"It feels nice to have scored, but then I believe more is expected from me, and work just got started. I feel motivated to work harder and want to continue from where I left off before the FIFA break," said Kasirye.

Despite going on a goal drought before his first of the season, Davis reveals that he is delighted to have scored his first of the season a fortnight ago.

"I am delighted to have opened my goal scorer account for the club and the season. To a given extent, the goal relieved me of some pressure, especially after going five games without a goal," he added.

Homeboyz has been blowing hot and cold, and the former Sofapaka striker believes the playing unit has what it takes to produce positive results.

"We have had a fair run, though I believe we should have done better, especially in matches where we dropped points yet we were in winning positions. We have a balanced squad that is able to compete, and I hope we can get back the winning mojo starting this Sunday in Bungoma,"

In other matches slated for Sunday, Shabana will be looking for their second win of the season when they go head-to-head with the Nairobi City Stars at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homabay. Fourth-placed Murang’a Seal will squire out with Bidco United at the Kasarani Annex, and the Kariobangi Sharks have a date with Muhoroni Youth at the Kasarani main stadium in one of the matches set to be televised.

FKF PREMIER LEAGUE, MATCHDAY 7

Saturday Results

KCB 1-1 Ulinzi Stars (0-0)

/Herrit Mungai 90'-Mark Bikokwa/

Sofapaka 1-0 Kenya Police (1-0)

Khalid Jumaan 36/

Talanta FC 3-1 Posta Rangers (2-1)

/Alfred Tanui 5, Alex Sunga 11, OG76-Dinken Mwema 42/

Sunday Games

1300: Kariobangi Sharks vs Muhoroni Youth

1600: (2.70) Tusker (2.85) Gor Mahia (2.80)

1500: (2.45) Shabana (3.00) Nairobi City Stars 2.95)

1500: (2.40) Nzoia Sugar (3.00) Kakamega Homeboyz (3.00)

1500: (2.20) Bandari (3.00) AFC Leopards (3.40)

1500: (2.05) Bidco United (3.05) Murang'a Seal (3.80)

***odds are subject to change***