Leopards praying for victory as league resumes

AFC Leopards Goalkeeper Maxwell Mulili during the FKF Premier league match at Thika Stadium. October 16, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

AFC Leopards will be seeking to put their poor start to the new season behind them when they face Bidco United as the FKF Premier League resumes today after a two-week suspension.

Bidco will host Ingwe at Thika Stadium in a 1pm early-kick off with seven matches set to be played across today and tomorrow.

The Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee had suspended the FKF Premier League, FKF National Super League, FKF Division One, FKF Women Premier League and FKF Women’s Division for two weeks to ensure regulation of football activities.

This is after Sports CS Amina Mohammed disbanded the FKF office that was under the leadership of Nick Mwendwa, who has since stepped aside.

The restart of the league will be a relief to coaches, players, football fans and stakeholders who were keen to know the way forward.

Speaking to the Standard Sports, Leopards assistant coach Tom Juma said he believes in their young squad and is optimistic the break will help them turn around their poor form

Prior to the break that happened three weeks ago, Leopards had lost four matches in a row.

“We have had a difficult start to the league, but it is also clear that we lost a good number of first team players which has unfortunately contributed to the poor results.

“However, that doesn’t mean that we are a bad team, we are currently rebuilding with a set of young players and it is just a matter of time before they click.

“The break was a blessing to us because it has enabled us to work on a few mistakes we have been making in the past four matches and now we are ready to go. We will know today after 90 minutes,” Juma said.

The league resumes with round 10 matches. The round seven, eight and nine matches will be rescheduled.

With Ingwe kicking off the return, Nzoia Sugar will follow when they host Kakamega Homeboyz at Sudi Stadium as Wazito take on Ulinzi Stars at Nyayo Stadium.

At Kasarani, Mathare United will face Talanta while Kenya Police entertain Sofapaka at Ruaraka in the final match today.

Tomorrow, last season’s runner-up KCB will host Vihiga Bullets at Utalii Ground in the only fixture of the day.

Defending champions Tusker and Gor Mahia will not be in action as they continue to battle for Caf Confederation Cup group stages slot.

Gor Mahia lead the league standings with 14 points after six rounds followed by Sharks, City Stars, Bandari and Kakamega Homeboyz all with 13 points.

Bullets are bottom with one point after failing to win any of their opening six matches.