SPL Round Two: SportPesa News Team Of The Week

NAIROBI, Kenya- The second round of the 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) produced 25 goals with only one game ending in a draw as Mathare United FC took early charge of the standings.

Bandari FC continued to make a statement in the domestic top flight with a 2-1 victory over 2009 champions Sofapaka FC, to add onto their opening day triumph against holders Gor Mahia FC.

The highest winning margin over the weekend in the SPL were twin 3-0 victories for leaders Mathare and second-place Kakamega Homeboyz FC at the Bukhungu Stadium against Nzoia Sugar FC and AFC Leopards SC respectively.

Mt. Kenya United FC, KCB FC and Zoo Kericho FC are the bottom three clubs in that order with neither of them managing a single point from the opening two matches of the season.

SportPesa News has a look at the standout performers from the second round of matches and outlines the best 11 to feature in the .

David Okello leads the starting 11 in the team of the week due to his heroics in Mathare’s 3-0 victory over Nzoia. Okello made two superb saves in the second half to deny their opponents and ensure that the Slum Boys recorded their second successive clean sheet.

Bandari’s Fred Nkata played a pivotal role on the road to their second win of the campaign with pacy runs down the flank that caused endless problems for Batoto Ba Mungu. His tireless efforts paid off when he set up teammate Yema Mwama for their first goal in the game.

After an opening day loss, Gor needed to bounce back and in addition to the flurry of goals they banged against Zoo, their resolute defending led by Joash Onyango was in a class of its own in the 4-0 triumph. The Kenyan international has been rock-solid for the champions and his hard tackles and key interceptions are key to their title-defending season.

Fast-rising Kariobangi Sharks FC grabbed their first victory in the new SPL season on Tuesday against Sony Sugar FC and it was inspired by Harrison Mwendwa, who had an exquisite game that saw him score his second goal of the season.

Daniel Waweru is the first midfielder in the team of the week for his match-winning performance for Ulinzi Stars FC in their 3-1 victory over KCB. Waweru scored the soldiers second goal and provided an assist to propel his side to ninth in the standings.

Cliff Nyakeya continued the fine form he finished last season with, getting the opening goal for Mathare on road to their impressive 3-0 triumph. The goal was his second in as many games, taking an early joint-lead of the SPL top scorers list.

Kakamega Homeboyz FC new signing George Mandela was also on top form over the weekend as he helped his side to a 3-0 win at the Bukhungu Stadium. The Ugandan proved to be a problem for AFC Leopards and he topped off a great performance with a brilliant second-half goal for the Paul Nkata side, cementing second place.

Naturally a striker, Samuel Onyango of Gor has recently adopted a new role behind the preferred forwards and seems to be settling well into it. Onyango notched yet another goal in the 4-0 win against Zoo in midweek. His energy and ability to run at defenders is proving to be a constant threat.

Another Gor player makes the forwards list in the team of the week, Ephrem Guikan, scored in the opening minute of the match and added a second in the 15th on the way to the impressive victory. The Ivorian has been under scrutiny from the fans but he silenced his critics with a sublime show last Wednesday.

Bandari’s Wycliffe Ochomo scored his first goal of the new SPL season with an easy tap-in that proved to be the winning goal for the dockers at the Kenyatta Stadium. Ochomo came off the bench and had two attempts on goal before finally getting the winner in the 72nd.

Henry Juma is the final player in the team of the week after his 79th minute goal was enough for promoted Western Stima FC to beat Robert Matano’s Tusker FC 1-0 in the biggest upset of match-day two.

SportPesa News Team Of The Week

Goalkeeper: David Okello (Mathare United FC)

Defenders: Fred Nkata (Bandari FC), Harrison Mwendwa (Kariobangi Sharks FC), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia FC)

Midfielders: Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United FC), Samuel Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Daniel Waweru (Ulinzi Stars FC), George Mandela (Kakamega Homeboyz FC)

Strikers: Ephrem Guikan (Gor Mahia FC), Wycliffe Ochomo (Bandari FC), Henry Juma (Western Stima FC)