HUNTING FOR CROWN: Leopards seek to subdue Sofapaka in Gotv Shield semis today

Enock Agwanda of Sofapaka winces as an airborne Jackson Sale of AFC Leopards prepares for a painful landing during their KPL match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, on March 16, 2014. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

That AFC Leopards have been doing well at City Stadium, the home-ground of their arch rivals Gor Mahia, is surprising.

This is the venue where they came from two goals down to edge out Tusker FC in the GOtv Shield quarter-final match three weeks ago.

On Friday, they hammered Thika United 3-0 at the same venue registering one of their biggest league wins this season. Leopards return to City Stadium this afternoon hoping to overcome Sofapaka in their GOtv shield semi-final match.

This being the only trophy available for Leopards to win this season, Ingwe are expected to be at their best in the hunt for the silverware to earn an opportunity to feature in continental football next season.

It has been a bad season on the KPL front for Leopards. Despite finishing runners-up last season, they have not been able to replicate the same form this time around despite having one of the most expensively assembled squads.

At best Leopards can hope to finish among the top eight in the KPL and winning the GOtv shield trophy remains their top priority.

They are capable of going past Sofapaka. First, it will be a great re-union for the likes of James Situma and Humphrey Mieno as they line-up against their former club.

In goal, Leopards will be happy that Patrick Matasi has hit top form in the recent past and should be able to stand firm in stopping Sofapaka from scoring.

 

PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE

On the other hand, Sofapaka have the added motivation of being on course to not only win the GOtv shield but also the KPL title.

Sofapaka are second on the log with 50 points. However, coach Sam Timbe has insisted that they are not so concerned about a double but rather are taking each match as it comes.

"For us, the most important thing is to keep on winning our matches as they come. If we are able to do this then we can achieve our goals this season," he said.

Timbe will line up Enock Agwanda and John Barasa upfront in search for goals, while at the back John Njoroge will play a crucial role in curtailing their opponents as well as bringing in crucial crosses and assists.

The second semi-final match will be between FKF Nationwide league sides West Sugar and Posta Rangers.

 Of the two teams, Rangers are the more experienced side and have already picked a ticket to next year's KPL something that should give them an advantage as they face West Sugar.

Rangers have a good number of players who featured for KPL sides like Dennis Mukhaisi.