Mathare United in unfamiliar zones

Stephen Waruru of Ulinzi stars (right) battles for the ball with Lennox Ogutu of Mathare United during the sportpesa Premier league match played at Afraha stadium in Nakuru on April 23,2017.Ulinzi won 5-1.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH Close Selected

This is not where Mathare United, champions of 2008, had envisioned they would be in the Kenyan Premier League.

They are 17th in the 18-team log with a measly five points from six rounds of matches. They are in the danger zone. That they lost 5-1 to Ulinzi Stars only made things worse for the former champions.

And as they prepare to play Chemelil Sugar in a midweek match today, any further slip-ups will only make matters worse for the Francis Kimanzi boys.

Posta Rangers carry their unbeaten run to Awendo, where they face Sony Sugar, while Ulinzi Stars, the other unbeaten side in the league, face Kakamega Homeboyz.

Bandari host Gor Mahia in a tight fixture in Mbaraki, Kariobangi Sharks clash with Thika United, while Tusker take on Nakumatt in Kinoru, Meru. Western Stima play Nzoia Sugar in Kisumu and AFC Leopards will test the newfound might of Sofapaka.

But it is how Mathare United emerge from that 5-1 stinging defeat by Ulinzi that will be the focus. Mathare are without their coach, Francis Kimanzi, who is serving a one-month touchline ban.

But it is no secret that Mathare United are looking hapless. The slum boys have won only once and conceded 10 goals, the same as Tusker, who also seem to be suffering from last season's hangover of winning two titles.

Kimanzi, however, remains bullish despite the poor run. He said that once most of his charges get the necessary experience, they will turn their season around.

"You have to accept that this team is totally new and just a few players are enjoying some Premier League experience," he said in a previous interview.

Chemelil will not be pushovers, though, as they seek to continue with their good form that saw them defeat Bandari 1-0.

Tusker may be delighted with their performance against Gor Mahia after they forced a barren draw, but they need to do more to make it to the top 10. They are now 15th.

The champions should take home all three points against Nakumatt, but going by their performance so far, they might struggle against the newcomers.

Gor Mahia matches against Bandari have always been explosive. Bandari have remained stoic against the 15-time champions and today, it may not be any different.

"We must work hard to maintain some consistency. The match against Gor Mahia will definitely not be an easy one," said Bandari coach Paul Nkata.

Sofapaka have vastly improved from the side that nearly tasted relegation last season. The same thing can be said about AFC Leopards, whose Ghanaian Gilbert Fiamenyo seems focused on making a point or two in the league.

While Leopards beat Thika 2-1 in their last game to move to second place, Sofapaka drew 0-0 against Kakamega Homeboyz. Going by their current form, Leopards should have the upper hand against the Batoto Ba Mungu.

Leopards' coach, Stewart Hall, also knows a thing or two about Sofapaka, having coached them, albeit for only one month.

Zoo will be looking for their first league win in their game against Muhoroni Youth.