KPL suspends eight players for league matches

Harambee Stars U20 Joseph Macharia(R) and of Bernard Ongoma AFC Leopards battle for the ball during their friendly match at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday 14/04/16. This was a build up match for Stars who takes on Sudan in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nation next Weekend.PHOTO;BONIFACE OKENDO

Eight players have been suspended from taking part in the 28th round of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) which kicks off this Friday.

After losing the derby to arch-rivals Gor Mahia 2-0 on Sunday, AFC Leopards return to the pitch on Friday against Sofapaka but without three key players-Bernard Ongoma, Eugene Ambulwa and Allan Kateregga.

Ongoma and Ambulwa received their fifth yellow cards of the season on Sunday while Katerrega also stays out after he received a red card against Ulinzi Stars two weeks ago.

Kateregga was thus suspended for two matches which ends after the match against Sofapaka.

Muhoroni Youth will not have first choice goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo when his team takes on Ushuru. He was sent off against Sofapaka last Friday when the team went down 2-1 at Ruaraka Stadium.

Sony Sugar’s two dependable players Boniface Muchiri and Victor Ademba will be missing when the team takes on Tusker on Saturday at home. The two picked their fifth yellow cards of the season in a goalless draw against Kakamega Homeboyz.

Thika United will take on Ulinzi Stars without defender Collins Okumu who picked his fifth yellow card in the game against Ushuru while City Stars will once again be without influential Ugandan Jimmy Bageya when they face Kakmega Homeboyz; the Ugandan is serving the second of a two - match ban.

Elsewhere, Football Kenya Federation has said that Friday’s international build-up match between Harambee Starlets and Egypt will be played at Kasarani Stadium.

The match had earlier been earmarked for Nyayo Stadium after fans raised concerns over their safety at Kasarani.

However, the federation said Nyayo is not available due to Sunday’s Standard Chartered marathon.

“The Starlets vs Egypt match will be played at Kasarani. Nyayo Stadium is unavailable due to the Stanchart Marathon.