By Gilbert Wandera
The draw for this year’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top 8 brought together interesting match-ups with traditional rivals meeting each other.
Gor Mahia, the current champions, face off with Ulinzi Stars in the first round. This will be a repeat of last year’s controversial final won by Gor and Ulinzi could seize this chance to revenge.
Speaking at the draw yesterday, Ulinzi coach Salim Ali said his team will come up with a good strategy to win the fixture and admitted that they would love to edge out Gor.
“It is a repeat of last year’s final and, while we would have wanted that the match be played later, we have to devise a winning strategy that should give us an edge over them,” noted the coach.
Gor Mahia midfielder Moses Odhiambo said they are inspired to defend their title and was ready for any team in the opening stage of the tournament.
AFC Leopards will have to come up with a new way to stop perennial bogey team Chemelil Sugar when the two sides clash in another first round match of the top eight tournaments.
In the last three years, Leopards have never beaten Chemelil either at home or away. At the beginning of this season, Leopards came from a goal down to pick a point from the sugar millers.
Poor co-ordination
Leopards defender Martin Imbalambala, however, insists they are ready to end the domination of Chemelil and says their poor start to the season has been occasioned by poor coordination.
“We have a new team and a new coach and it is taking time for everybody to get used to each other. This is what has affected us, but we are picking up and we are on our way to getting the right formation,” said Imbalambala.
Exert revenge
Chemelil Sugar coach Mike Mururi predicted his side will do better than last year and is happy to have been drawn against Leopards.
Thika United coach, John Kamau, noted he cannot wait to revenge against Sofapaka when the two sides meet in the top eight first round.
“They beat us in the first match of the league and we are happy that an opportunity has come up early to exert revenge,” Kamau said.
The last match will pit Tusker against Mathare United. Speaking at the draw, Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Chief Executive, Jack Oguda, said dates for the tournament will be announced later.
“The tournament has grown in leaps and bounds since inception two years ago. Unfortunately, we are yet to get a title sponsor, but this is something we are working on,” said Oguda.
Meanwhile, Ghetto Youth thrashed Kayole Youth 4-2 in the Action for Research and Development tournament at Calvary Grounds yesterday, adds Rebecca Gichana.
Kevin Riziki scored a hat trick for Ghetto in the first half to give the visitors a lead, while George Mwangi’s second half goal made sure that the home team suffered a defeat.
