CRUCIAL ENCOUNTER: AFC Leopards tackle Mathare United in a GOtv shield quarter-final match

Mathare United players against KCB during their KPL match at City Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday 26/07/14. KCB won 4-0.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

The only realistic trophy remaining for both AFC Leopards and Mathare United to win this season is the GOtv shield.

This makes today’s quarter-final match at Nyayo National Stadium a must-win for both teams.

Just like it happened last year, Leopards had a poor start in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season which seemed to have propelled them to winning the shield competition.

By this time last season, Leopards had sacked former coach Luc Eymael and appointed former international James Nandwa to take charge of their technical bench.

They had a good run in the last third of the season, clinching the GOtv Shield and finished runners-up on the KPL log.

Will they repeat the same this season? All indications are Leopards are on an ascendancy which can propel them all the way to the promised land.

They are yet to lose a match in three outings under Dutch coach Pietier De Jongh and have a re-energised forward line under Noah Wafula and Jacob Keli.

United have struggled in the last two seasons, but they are keen to have a trophy in the cabinet.

The decision by Mathare coach Stanley Okumbi to sign veteran defender Noah Abich has paid off well with the former AFC Leopards and Tusker man showing faith with goals.

There is also veteran defender Edgar ‘Fighter’ Ochieng’ who has shown plenty of promise since returning to the slum boys after a stint at Sofapaka.

On the league front, high-riding Western Stima travel to Awasi to take on Chemelil Sugar.

Stima recovered from a three-match losing streak, but have won thrice in a row.

Fixtures: Saturday: AFC Leopards v Mathare United (Nyayo), Bandari v City Stars (Mbaraki) and Chemelil Sugar v Western Stima (Awasi Stadium).