By GILBERT WANDERA
AFC Leopards take on bogey team Chemelil Sugar in their first round of Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top Eight match at Nyayo National Stadium tonight.
Leopards, currently facing turbulence on the pitch, couldn’t have wished for a worse time to take on a side they have never beaten in the last three years. Despite bringing on board new coach Luc Eymael, Leopards have remained winless in two matches and picking a win against Chemelil could just turn around their season.
Leopards go into today’s match after being held to a barren draw by Bandari on Saturday in a tie they dominated. After their impressive second half display perhaps Eymael should consider starting youngsters Edwin Seda and Patilah Omoto after they changed the game against Bandari as substitutes.
Leopards should also pray that their striking force of Allan Wanga and Noah Wafula has its claws sharp enned having failed to score in the last two matches.
This is one area that the new coach will need to work on if he is to get results.
While Leopards failed to beat Bandari, Chemelil go into today’s match on the backdrop of a 1-0 KPL win over Kakamega Homeboyz.
Chemelil under former international Mike Mururi have shown a lot of consistency this season and have a blend of experienced and veteran players to thank.
Experienced striker Tony Opondo has consistently been a thorn in the defence of opposing teams and will be a big asset against Leopards.
Midfielder Gearson Likonoh is another reliable asset in the Chemelil side. Having played for Leopards before, Likonoh will be highly motivated to take on his former club.
Elsewhere, KPL chairman James Musyoki has hinted that Gor Mahia could be stripped off their Top Eight win against Ulinzi Stars if it is proved they fielded four foreign players. Musyoki said most of the rules of the league apply to the Top Eight tournament.
“There is no big difference between the rules governing the KPL and the Top Eight competition. Most of the rules are the same,” he said.
On Saturday, Ulinzi Stars petitioned KPL demanding to be awarded the match they lost to Gor Mahia 4-2 on post-match penalties.
The former league champions have already put in an appeal to the league company citing an irregularity by their opponents.
Ulinzi pointed out the fact that Gor Mahia fielded four foreign players, goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda (Tanzanian) and three Ugandans Dan Sserunkuma, Israel Emuge and Ivan Anguyo.
“This was clearly against the KPL policy and we are demanding to be awarded the match,” said Joe Birgen, officer in-charge at Ulinzi.
However, Gor said the rule cited by Ulinzi only applies to KPL matches.
