Mathare to fight for league survival: Four teams will battle it out to remain in top league

KENYA PREMIER LEAGUE 2017 Mathare United's Roy Okal (left) is challenged by Whyvonne Isuza of AFC Leopards during Kenya Premier League match at Kasarani stadium on Sept 27, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

A number of league matches will be played today, with Gor Mahia hosting Western Stima at Kasarani.

It has been a trying season for Mathare United in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League.

The team lost most of its key players at the start of the season and as a result has struggled against relegation for most of the year.

With four matches to go, Mathare find themselves in a must-win situation, needing to collect all 12 points to be guaranteed a place in the top flight football next season.

The battle against relegation starts today at Narok Stadium against former champions Sofapaka.

Ahead of today’s match, coach Francis Kimanzi pointed out that given the pedigree of his squad, his focus has been on nurturing players rather than fighting for the title

 “Every time you take a new job you can’t go in expecting the same experience you had in your previous one. When you are working with a team that has a good budget, your ambition will be different from when you are working with a team like Mathare.

“When I took this job at Mathare, I knew that I was about to start having a new experience so it is no surprise. I concentrated, not on winning the league, but on how I could nurture players and give them a head start in their careers,” he told the KPL website.

Kimanzi insists he is not worried about relegation even as the team takes on Sofapaka.

 “ I am not scared about relegation. The important thing is to ensure they don’t lose games without learning anything from it, whether personal or as a team. I want that every time they get out on the pitch they learn something new,” he said.

There has been some positive outcomes from the Kimanzi experience, producing good strikers like Chrispine Oduor, who will likely give Sofapaka trouble today.

After playing Sofapaka, the slum boys will have a date with Nzoia Sugar, Posta Rangers, and Muhoroni Youth.

Sofapaka have done well for themselves this season considering they were nearly relegated.

However, the fact that they missed out on the title is still disappointing and so must fight for at least a runners-up position.

The other battle for the second spot will pit Kakamega Homeboyz against Posta Rangers, also at Narok Stadium.

Rangers coach Sammy Omollo will be back on the technical bench after serving a three-match suspension.

His side is still motivated after beating AFC Leopards at the same venue 10 days ago.