WILL LEOPARDS SHOP AT NAKUMATT? AFC start league campaign as Ulinzi seek ‘Barcelona miracle’ in Confed cup tie

Oscar Wamalwa of Ulinzi stars dribbles past Robinson Kamura AFC Leopards during a friendly match played at Nakuru Afraha stadium on March 4,2017.They drew 0-0. PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

AFC Leopards are hoping to make a winning start when they battle Kenyan Premier League newcomers Nakumatt as embattled champions Tusker take on Thika United in tomorrow’s double header at Thika County Stadium.

Sofapaka and Muhoroni Youth will also be playing their first matches of the KPL season this weekend after the pair was reinstated to the top tier league by the Sports Disputes Tribunal on Wednesday.

Batoto Ba Mungu welcome Sony Sugar tomorrow as Muhoroni Youth entertain Kariobangi Sharks in Muhoroni.

However, the highlight of the weekend is today’s CAF Confederations Cup second leg match between Ulinzi Stars and Egypt’s Smouha in Machakos.

Ulinzi needs a miraculous comeback against the Egyptian side after suffering a heavy 4-0 first leg defeat in Cairo last week.

The soldiers have to beat Smouha by four goals to nil to force the game into penalties or by 5-0 to go through.

“It is not an easy task because they are not an easy team as well. We need to work extra hard. It is a huge deficit but we must give our best,” said Benjamin Nyangweso, the defence forces coach.

“In football, everything is possible. We just need to score early goals, but also ensure we defend well. Apart from Ocholla (Stephen) who is down with malaria and the injured Shitote (Cylus), the rest of the squad is fit and ready for the match.”

Despite going into the season opener against Nakumatt as favourites, AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall has warned his players against undermining their “dangerous” opponents.

“Nakumatt is a dangerous opposition and we are not going to underrate them at all. Remember, they have like five of our former players who will definitely play extra harder to prove something,” Hall told Feverpitch.

“Having watched three of the KPL games last weekend, I realised that all the teams that won were well-prepared and worked hard for it. So, it is imperative for us to work hard too against Nakumatt.

There is no shortcut here, we must be committed, have a winning mentality and play with intensity to get the result.”

While Nzoia United will be seeking to replicate their 5-2 thrashing of Tusker against visiting Mathare United today, Kariobangi Sharks will hope to bounce back after suffering a 1-3 loss to Gor Mahia.