Unbeaten Mathare Host Homeboyz Hoping To Reclaim SPL Top Spot

NAIROBI, Kenya- Unbeaten Mathare United FC will be out to reclaim top spot as they host visiting Kakamega Homeboyz in a SportPesa Premier League (SPL) match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on Saturday.

The slum boys, who have been at the apex of the table for most part of the season, were eclipsed aby Bandari FC who edged Posta Rangers FC 1-0 at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa on Thursday.

“I believe this term will be different for us. So far we have established ourselves as genuine contenders for the  SPL title as we have managed to command the standings in the seven rounds played,” Mathare defender Johnstone Omurwa underlined.

“Last year, at a similar stage we had conceded more than four goals. This season we have only let in four of which two were penalties.

“We are doing better defensively and that’s a big motivation. As long as the forwards score we will continue winning matches. If we carry on like this then we can dream of the trophy,” Omurwa underscored.

Head coach Francis Kimanzi has been taking the players through paces at the Goan Institute Grounds as they plot to stop 11th placed Homeboyz who have so far accumulated eight points after two wins, two draws and three losses.

Double header

Mathare’s victory will see them open a two-point gap at the top ahead of Bandari who are also unbeaten, but a loss will leave them perched in second where they are currently placed with 17 after five wins and two draws.

Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos will host a double header on the day with Kenya Commercial Bank FC taking on Vihiga United FC in an early kick off  before Sofapaka FC battle Sony Sugar FC later in the day.

KCB are already buoyed with a 1-0 win against AFC Leopards SC last weekend and victory against Vihiga will elevate them from the relegation zone where they in 17th  with five points.

Sofapaka will be seeking to find a foothold after their American-Egyptian head coach, Melis Medo, was fired on Tuesday with his assistant and former Kenyan international, John Baraza, taking over as interim tactician.

Batoto Ba Mungu currently sit in 12th with seven, 11 behind league leaders Bandari.

Only two fixtures are on the cards on Sunday with Ulinzi Stars FC taking on Tusker FC at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru as Western Stima tackle Nzoia Sugar at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

SPL Saturday Fixtures

Mathare United FC  vs Kakamega Homeboyz FC- Kasarani 3pm

KCB FC vs Vihiga United FC- Kenyatta Stadium- 2pm

Sofapaka FC vs Sony Sugar FC- Kenyatta Stadium- 4.15pm

SPL Sunday Fixtures

Ulinzi Stars FC vs Tusker FC – Afraha Stadium- 3pm

Western Stima FC vs Nzoia Sugar FC- Moi Stadium- 3pm