Strathmore Leos host Mean Machine in top of the table clash

Strathmore Leos's Andrew Matoka in action during their KRU Championship match against MMUST RFC. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

KRU Championship leaders Strathmore Leos will be seeking to seal their top spot position when they welcome third-placed Mean Machine on Saturday at Madaraka Grounds as the race for the playoffs slot continues to intensify.

Leos lead the standings with 57 points after 12 rounds, seven ahead of second-placed Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST RFC) and captain Gabriel Adero is upbeat of another routine win.

Speaking to the Standard Sports, Adero said the team is on fire and can’t wait to bag their 13th consecutive victory.

“We are in a good form and I believe we will win. We were lucky during the first leg away at Machine and we are going to ensure we kill the game early,” he said.

On the other side, Mean Machine captain Festus Shiasi is optimistic they will stop the runaway leaders after being boosted by the return of their five players who were sidelined.

“We are now full house after the return of our five players (Daniel Oluoch, Ian Wando, Samuel Mejja, Ben Mwangi and Aron Otieno). This is a bosster to us as we continue to chase a semifinal spot which is 10 points away,” Shiasi said.

Both Machine and Leos were relegated from the Kenya Cup last season but have launched a campaign to return back top after only one season in the championship.

MMUST will also be in the City for a crucial clash against USIU Martial at USIU Grounds as South Coast Pirates are set to host Catholic Monks at St Joseph Grounds in Ukunda.

At Mombasa Sports Club, struggling Mombasa will tackle Northern Suburbs. University of Eldoret Trojans will be playing an Eldoret derby against Eldoret RFC.

Egerton Wasps will be at Njoro Grounds for a clash against bottom-placed Kisii.

-UTILITY-

Fixtures

Strathmore vs Mean Machine- Madaraka Grounds

Mombasa vs N. Suburbs- Mombasa Sports Club

SC Pirates vs CUEA Monks- St Joseph Ukunda

USIU vs MMUST- USIU Grounds

UOE vs Eldoret- UoE Grounds

Egerton vs Kisii-Njoro