Mathare face shaky Nakumatt: Mathare United look to pile pressure on Nakumatt on packed midweek match up

Slum Boys captain Owino, however, warns of financially stricken but experienced opponents.

Mathare United will go back to the top of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings with a win over struggling Nakumatt at Ruaraka grounds today.

The Slum Boys will increase their points tally to 20, one more than top placed side Gor Mahia.

Apart from looking to get back to the top, it is special match for Mathare United captain George Owino, who turns 37 today as he plays his 96th match for the Mathare-based club.

Ahead of the fixture, Owino has urged his teammates not to underrate their beleagured opponents.

“It’s difficult to play when you have no money in your pocket and it’s unfortunate that Nakumatt players have been going through that for a long time now. However, that does not mean that they are an easy side to beat,”

He added: “They are an experienced team and we have to approach them cautiously. We have to convert our chances and defend as a team,” he told the club’s website.

Owino has featured in all the last eight matches that Mathare United have been involved in since the season started.

He has played the full 90 minutes in all the eight matches.

Despite his age, Owino has not shown any signs of slowing down and has been a great presence at the heart of defence partnering with youthful Johnstone Omuruwa.

“People have been talking about my retirement, but passion keeps me going. It’s a good feeling to be the leader of such a wonderful group,” he said.

Nakumatt are 15th on the log having won only a single match this season.

Despite a top five finish last season, Kakamega Homeboyz have not shown any signs of a repeat performance as they face a tricky fixture against Posta Rangers at Camp Toyoyo.

Three wins in eight matches is not the kind of result Mike Mururi would have hoped for after a good season.

But they still have a chance to recover and victory over Rangers could help to turn around their season.

Rangers have been very tight at the back and have lost just once.

The team has, however, struggled to score goals considering that they have won just two matches since the season started.

Thika United will still be looking for their first win of the season when they travel away to Chemelil Sugar. Thika find themselves in an almost similar predicament they were in last season when they were forced to go for the play-offs before keeping their place in the top league.