FKFPL: AFC Leopards, Shabana and Tusker all in action as title race heats up

Curtains continue to draw in the FKF Premier League first leg as match week 17 takes center stage with three matches lined up for today, Saturday 17 January across different venues, and with potential changes to the top of the table.

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All eyes will be on the clash pitting Kenyan giants AFC Leopards against APS Bomet, even as Shabana takes on Sofapaka, while Tusker FC face Bandari.

Ahead of today's matches, 21-time record league champions Gor Mahia are at the top of the league with 30 points, same as AFC Leopards, with the two only separated by a one-goal difference.

At the tail end of the table lies Kariobangi Sharks with 13 points, and are joined in the relegation category by APS Bomet and Sofapaka with 14 points.

AFC Leopards vs APS Bomet

AFC Leopards will play host to league newbies APS Bomet in a match scheduled at the Nyayo National Stadium from 1600 hrs for their first ever meeting in the league.

Leopards will be seeking to make a return to the top of the league table after they were dethroned by their arch-rivals Gor Mahia following the latter’s 3-2 comeback win over Murang'a Seal.

Ingwe have stated and clearly demonstrated that they are on a mission to end their 28-year wait for the league title.

The 1998 champions are on a great run of form and have won four of their last five league matches, including back-to-back wins over Nairobi United and Tusker, keeping clean sheets in the process.

Their 4-0 victory over Tusker in particular is a morale booster to the team, given that it came against a title contender.

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Leopards captain Victor Omune revealed the secret behind their good form even as he urged fans to turn up in large numbers.

“From training, everyone is seeking to improve individually which then makes the team better. The mentality has changed, everyone knows what we want to achieve, and we must get three points against APS Bomet, whatever the cost,” said Omune.

“I urge our fans to fill the stadium and support us. They have been the spine behind our wins and we promise to make them happy. The game will be easier with their support,” he added.

APS Bomet, on the other hand, are targeting to retain their league status at the end of the season, having faced difficulties in keeping pace with the league in what is their maiden season.

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The law enforcers are on a four-match winless run, but will be encouraged by their fighting spirit that saw them score in the 84th minute to earn a draw against Mara Sugar in their last match.

Nairobi has given the Bomet-based side most points this season, including two of their three wins, a matter that will be a morale booster to the team.

Shabana vs Sofapaka

The first match of the day will see Shabana face off with Sofapaka at the Gusii Stadium from 1400 hrs.

The match will be Shabana’s third consecutive match at home as the club is yet to travel this year. However, The Glamour Boys failed to secure maximum points in the previous two matches, losing to Nairobi United before settling for a draw against Gor Mahia.

Sitting fourth on the log with 24 points, Shabana will be out to improve their point tally and possibly close in on Gor Mahia and Leopards who are seemingly running away from the rest of the pack.

The Peter Okidi-coached side will be encouraged by the fact that they have won three of their four league matches against Batoto Ba Mungu.

Sofapaka, on the other hand, are on an eight-match winless streak and find themselves in the relegation zone. The 2009 champions must therefore secure a win to increase their chances of surviving relegation.

Tusker vs Bandari

In the other match of the day, 12-time league champions Tusker FC will lock horns with Bandari FC at St. Sebastian Park, Murang'a from 1500 hrs.

The Brewers will be seeking to bounce back from their humiliating 4-0 loss to AFC Leopards that put coach Charles Okere under pressure, with the club's chairman Charles Gacheru threatening to make changes in the technical bench.

Okere is therefore considering today's match a must win, if he is to stay longer at the club even as the club seeks to improve from their sixth position.

Bandari, on the other hand, are 13th on the log with 20 points, and secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Kakamega Homeboyz in their last match as they welcomed back coach Benard Mwalala into the club.

Mwalala will be aiming at guiding The Dockers to their first victory over Tusker in six matches, having failed to do so in five attempts.