MichezoAfrika previews the match per Timothy Olobulu:-
Jan Koops’ charges will be welcoming the league debutants at the
Nyayo National Stadium, hoping to keep their unbeaten record unchecked.
They will be wary of a Muhoroni side who bottled up Gor Mahia 1-0 at the
same venue three weeks ago.
Leopards are currently at second spot on the log, with Sofapaka
being on top; 11 points after but Ingwe has a match at hand. A win for
the Leopards will see them get back to the apex.
Leopards have played four matches with three wins and a draw.
They have beaten Ulinzi Stars away in Nakuru, Oserian at the Nyayo
Stadium and Mathare United at the same venue. They drew with Chemelil
Sugar also at the same venue.
Muhoroni are placed 10th after four matches with four points. They have won once, lost twice and drawn once.
AFC Leopards midfielder Charles Okwemba is back in the team after
missing out last weekend 2-0 win over Ulinzi Stars in Nakuru. He is the
only new face in the team and replaces injured Mike Barasa in the
starting eleven.
“Last week he was not feeling well and he was not in the
correct state of mind. We have looked at him this week and he was very
sharp and it was not a problem for me and the technical bench to decide
on him to start. Barasa is injured on the shoulder. It is very painful
and he cannot play today”, Koops told michezoafrika.com.
The coach also says that he expects his charges to continue
with their unbeaten run though he does not throw all his cards in the
cast as per the match.
“I cannot say that we will always win. For me, I say that we
will try our best when we get to the field. We respect our opponents and
I think we have a good chance of winning and we will try to win because
our fans also expect us to win”, he adds.
Patrick Matasi will continue in goal, hoping to continue with
his clean sheet. The former West Sugar man has not conceded a goal since
the league begun. Amon Muchiri will continue at left back in the
absence of the injured Abbas Kiwalabye with Edwin Baraza playing at
right back.
Erick Masika and Jonas Nahimana will continue with their job at
central defense. Captain Martin Imbalambala will play infront of the
defense. Salim Khamis Kinje and Bernard Mang’oli will play in central
midfield. Charles Okwemba will play on the offensive right with Jimmy
Bageya playing on the offensive left. Allan Wanga will be the lone man
upfront.
A win for the Leopards today will see them go back to the top
of the log with 13 points. A draw will also see them topple Sofapaka on
goal difference.
Full Line up;
Starting XI: Patrick Matasi, Edwin Baraza, Amon Muchiri,
Erick Masika, Jonas Nahimana, Martin Imbalambala, Charles Okwemba, Jimmy
Bageya, Salim Kinje, Bernard Mang’oli, Allan Wanga
Subs; Barnabas Tiema, Robert Syong’o, Fabrice Tumba, Abraham Cokie, Kadenge, Victor Ochieng’, Francis Chinjili
Michael Kwambo of Kenyanstar writes:-
AFC Leopards recovered
from that scoreless home draw against Chemelil in their opening fixture
to register three identical 2-0 wins over Mathare United, Oserian and
Linz (sic) Stars to go top of the KPL. Jan Koop’s side will try to maintain
their momentum and protect their lead when they face a Muhoroni Youth
side that surprised Gor Mahia 1-0 in their last outing to Nairobi. A win
for Leopards could see them perched atop the KPL summit at the close of
business on Sunday. This is a must win clash for the side as a slip up
could see them lose the KPL’s prime property.
Muhoroni Youth come to
Nairobi on an expedition. The side who are in their debut KPL season
are currently placed ninth and will be out to avoid the curse of newly
promoted teams that return to the Nationwide leagues at the close of the
season. Coached by the wily Alfred Imonje, this side surely knows the
importance of collecting points as the more points you have simply
determines you continued stay in the league or even the ascent to glory.
With this in mind, expect the Muhoroni side that steps out on the day
to be competitive in their approach to the game.
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