AFC take on Sony Sugar at City Stadium

AFC players celebrating at the end of a game in a past match

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY GILBERT WANDERA

Nairobi, Kenya: AFC Leopards intensify their battle for second place when they meet Sony Sugar in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at City Stadium Wednesday.

The match was moved to Nairobi after AFC Leopards expressed concern over insecurity at Awendo Green Stadium.

AFC wrote to Football Kenya Federation last week protesting the decision by the league company to move the match to Awendo, which months earlier hosted an explosive match against Gor Mahia that was abandoned in the last minutes.

As Leopards take to the pitch today, they will look back to a seven-match winning streak enjoyed since hiring stand-in coach James Nandwa.

It is a result that has left them almost finishing as runners-up, which is one better than last season’s performance.

Nandwa has had so much success at AFC since taking over two months ago that he helped the team qualify for the final of the GOtv Shield, which automatically gives them a place in the Confederations Cup next year. The other finalists, Gor Mahia, have already won the KPL title.

Nandwa will most likely use the veteran players who have brought him success in the past. He will be particularly delighted by the form of top striker Allan Wanga who has scored consistently in all the past eight matches.

Wanga helped Leopards get a crucial 1-0 win over Karuturi Sports last week and will be key today against Sony.

He should receive support from veteran striker Mike Barasa, who has maintained top form despite his age.

Veteran striker Marwa Chamberi will lead their attack for goals.

Victory for Leopards today will push them to second spot on the log with 47 points as they overcome Sofapaka who are currently in this position.

Despite being denied a home-ground advantage by having this match moved to City Stadium, Sony Sugar have no choice but to grab all three points.

The team lies dangerously in the relegation zone and needs maximum points to ease the pressure on themselves.

Sony go into this fixture less than two weeks after they were edged out of the GOtv Shield semi-final by Gor Mahia in a match that ended violently when some of their players were attacked.

But they must put this behind them and ensure three points are in the bag or they will be in serious trouble.

Elsewhere, Sony Sugar Legal Services Manager Gabriel Otiende has taken issue with what he terms bias against the team by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).