Wounded AFC Leopards Ready To Pounce On Bandari, Gor Host Homeboyz

NAIROBI, Kenya- Wounded AFC Leopards SC resume SportPesa Premier League (SPL) action with a tricky assignment away to Bandari FC on Thursday as the international break comes to an end.

Leopards, who are seventh on the table with 15 points from nine games, are eyeing a first league title since 1998 and despite the financial constraints troubling the team, they have began the season well.

Andre Casa Mbungo's side are coming off a 4-1 thrashing by eternal rivals Gor Mahia FC, a second defeat of the season and are full of confidence ahead of the match against the dockers at the Mbaraki Stadium.

Reliable forward John Mark Makwatta remains the league's top scorer with five goals and is expected to travel with the team despite not training on Tuesday having just concluded national team duties.

"We have started the season well and despite the obvious financial issues, I believe that each and every player is pulling their own weight to ensure we have a chance to win the title.

"Our squad is full, ready and capable. There is no lack of talent here and we just have to believe that things will get better so we can keep up the good performances," captain Robinson Kamura told SportPesa News after the morning training session.

Kamura has missed a bunch of games for Leopards due to injury but has since resumed training and is expected to start against Bandari on Thursday.

The dockers are in 11th place with 11 points but have played one game less ahead of the mouthwatering encounter.

"Bandari are a good side and it's always close when both teams meet. We are going there to get three points and nothing less. 

"The session today was good and I'm confident that we will be ready to put on a winning performance and not let our fans down," Kamura added.

Bernard Mwalala's Bandari are also coming off a shocking 3-1 loss to Western Stima FC and the SportPesa Cup runners-up will also have a point to prove in front of their adoring home fans.

The midweek SPL action begins tomorrow with yet another thrilling fixture on the cards as unbeaten Mathare United FC host 2009 winners Sofapaka FC. 

Batoto Ba Mungu have already lost four times this season, leaving them in 10th place with 11 points and cannot afford a slip up if they are to remain among the top half of the embryonic table.

Sixth-place Kenya Commercial Bank FC (KCB) have the opportunity to continue their stellar start to the season when they host basement club Chemelil Sugar FC, who are still without a win in the 2019/20 campaign. 

Kariobangi Sharks FC, who made history when they beat Everton FC on penalties at Kasarani on July 7, have only won once in nine games and face an uphill task against Ulinzi Stars FC.

Champions Gor Mahia FC will wrap up the midweek fixtures on Thursday with a tough test against Kakamega Homeboyz FC in a top of the table clash.

Homeboyz are in second with 17 points, one shy of Gor who have two games in hand.

SPL MIDWEEK FIXTURES

WEDNESDAY (All matches kick off at 3pm unless stated)

KCB FC vs Chemelil Sugar FC

Kisumu All Stars FC vs Wazito FC

Mathare United FC vs Sofapaka FC

Nzoia Sugar FC vs Posta Rangers FC

Zoo FC vs Sony Sugar FC

THURSDAY

Bandari FC vs AFC Leopards SC

Kariobangi Sharks FC vs Ulinzi Stars FC

Tusker FC vs Western Stima FC

Gor Mahia FC vs Kakamega Homeboyz FC - 4PM