By GILBERT WANDERA
Last season, AFC Leopards were among the top contenders for the KPL title.
The team dominated in the first leg of the competition only to crumble towards the end and finish third. They ended the season without any silverware.
Many AFC fans still remember that it was Nairobi City Stars who thrashed them 3-0 in their last match of the first leg and exposed their underbelly.
Leopards have a chance this afternoon to exert revenge when the two sides clash at City Stadium.
A lot has changed since their last meeting. Leopards are no longer the same team they were and have won only twice in nine meetings, while City Stars are struggling to progress.
New Leopards coach Luc Eymael will be under pressure to win his first match. The coach has been in charge of three matches with two ending in draws and losing the other.
In their quest for victory, Leopards will welcome back youthful midfielder Patilla Omoto who resumed training last week after recovering from injury making him eligible for today’s match.
Apart from Omoto who has proved an asset in midfield, Leopards will also be hoping top players like Allan Wanga, Paul Were and Mike Barasa are in good shape.
City Stars have a habit of bringing down top teams. Though they may be down, the Kawangware side are known to fight hard and today will not be different. Ugandan import Jimmy Bagaye, who was among the players sacked by Leopards last season, has a chance to revenge against his former club when he puts on the City Stars jersey.
With three goals so far this season, Bagaye is a great asset to City Stars. He will be assisted by Francis Thairu in search for goals.
Another interesting fixture today will be at Awendo Stadium where Sony Sugar welcome Thika United. Sony are still celebrating after upsetting champions Tusker 1-0 at home two weeks ago and followed it up with a 1-1 score against Gor Mahia, results that inspired the team after a bad season.
