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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

AFC Leopards play Sofapaka at City Stadium as leaders Thika United host Western Stima today

Sports

By Gilbert Wandera | Jun 22, 2013

By Gilbert Wandera

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) resumes this weekend with all 16 teams in action.

Competition had taken a three-week break and is expected to intensify with teams fighting to either maintain their good form or improve on their sluggish start.

This weekend’s top-of-the-bill clash will be at City Stadium today where former champions Sofapaka invite troubled AFC Leopards in an interesting match.

Before the break, both teams had lost their last matches and thus will be looking to bounce back to winning ways well aware that this can set the tone for the rest of the season.

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Past fixtures between the two sides have always been beset by intrigue and revenge and today’s will be not different.

Leopards coach, Luc Eymael, will be under pressure with fans expecting him to return them to winning ways. The last time Leopards won a match was almost two months ago. Since then it has been one heartache after another and everyone is looking at Eymael to stem the losses.

He has not been successful, but beating Sofapaka today may be a good way to begin a resurgence. For victory, Eymael should consider using a twin-prong attack as opposed to his three-man attacking option and create space for an extra midfielder on the flanks.

In goal, Patrick Matasi is expected to start as he has big match experience. The Leopards defense still looks able even without injured Anthony Kimani. Veteran defender, Eric Masika, is expected to return to the team after a long lay-off and his presence will make up for Kimani’s absence.

Placed second on the log, Sofapaka have had better success than their opponents and will be hoping this can propel them to victory.

Veteran striker, John Barasa, will lead the team’s goal hunt alongside Zimbabwean Obadiah Tarumbwa.

In Thika, leaders Thika United will extend their lead if they beat Western Stima today. Thika are currently at the top with 23 points and a win will push them to 27.

The team is enjoying their best season ever and this should inspire them.

Youthful striker Kennedy Otieno and winger, Francis Kahata, will lead Thika’s quest. The team has also received a dose of experience with the comeback of Kepha Aswani.

Stima went to the break on a high after stopping Gor Mahia 1-0 at home and will be looking to build on this to overcome their opponents. The team recently added their attacking options by signing back former striker Justin Monda from champions Tusker.

Fixtures:

Saturday: Sofapaka v AFC Leopards (City Stadium), Thika United v Western Stima (Thika), Ulinzi Stars v City Stars (Afraha), Bandari v Chemelil (Mombasa).

Sunday: Muhoroni v Sony Sugar (Muhoroni), Karuturi v Gor Mahia (Afraha Stadium), Homeboyz v Tusker (Bukhungu) and KCB v Mathare United (Nyayo Stadium). All matches kick off at 3pm.