Kenyan Premier League: Gor Mahia face Sofapaka tomorrow as league hits homestretch

Posta Rangers FC's Cavin Odongo (left) and Dan Otewa of Bandari FC during KPL match at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday August 4, 2018.[Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Sharks in troubled waters

Kariobangi hit by second season syndrome, Sony Sugar coughing back to life.

Kariobangi Sharks find themselves in rough waters with coach William Muluyu struggling to swim along.

A 2-0 defeat to Sony Sugar, thanks to Enock Agwanda’s brace, was their fifth straight defeat prompting calls for Muluya’s head.

Kariobangi Sharks fans could not stomach the dizzying free fall often referred in pub parlance as second season syndrome.

While Sharks wailed it was joy for Sony Sugar whose revival continued with a clinical demolition of their hosts at Camp Toyoyo, Nairbi.

AFC Leopards, too, showed signs of improvement as the Sportpesa Premier League entered into homestretch at the weekend.

AFC Leopards also had a thrilling weekend after they picked three maximum points after clawing Thika United 2-0 in another league match at the Thika stadium.

Leopards’ win saw them tie with Bandari in second position with 48 points as Ingwe chalked up a fourth straight win.

Nigeria’s Alex Orotomal put Leopards ahead in the 65th minute before Ezekiel Odera made it 2-0 nine minutes later. The race for second position is now wide open as with Gor Mahia wheeling away from the rest of the chasing pack.

Bandari had a free weekend and host Nzoia United on Saturday at Mbaraki Sports Club in a match the dockers will be looking to win and close the gap on leaders.

Nakumatt had a fruitful weekend after they humiliated former champions Mathare United 4-0 at camp Toyoyo.

Nakumatt’s Joe Waithira shook the net twice with Kelvin Thairu and John Avire scoring a goal apiece for the big win.

Tusker registered a laboured 1-0 win over Zoo Kericho where Boniface Muchiri scored the lone goal at Ruaraka grounds.

The victory was a sweet revenge for the brewers, who lost to the Kericho-based side 3-1, in the first leg to enable the Robert Matano coached team to pick three points from the last five games.

Gor Mahia, who lost 2-1 to Rwanda’s Rayon Sports in Caf Confederations Cup match in Nairobi are still in title contention and only miracles can see them surrender the title they won last year.

The K’Ogalo boys have little time to relax as they face Sofapaka tomorrow.

A win for the record 16 time Kenyan champions will see them needing a point against AFC Leopards to bad the league title.

KPL weekend results

Nakumatta 4 Mathare United 0

AFC Leopards 2 Thika United 0

Sony Sugar 2 Kariobangi Sharks 0

Tusker 1 Zoo Kericho 0