SPL Leaders Gor Out For KCB Revenge, Sofapaka Playing Catch-Up

30th April 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

The SPL champions only need four wins from their remaining nine matches to secure an unprecedented 18th league title

Kenneth Muguna. PHOTO/Futaa

SUMMARY

SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC will get the opportunity to widen the already huge point gap at the top of the standings when they take on Kenya Commercial Bank FC on Thursday
Gor beat seventh place Ulinzi Stars FC (36) 2-1 on Monday afternoon at the Afraha Stadium to pull nine points clear of their closest challengers Sofapaka FC (49)
Andre Casa Mbungo’s team have not tasted defeat in their last eight matches and can continue their impressive run when they face Nzoia Sugar FC (32) at the Bukhungu Stadium tomorrow afternoon

NAIROBI, Kenya- SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC will get the opportunity to widen the already huge point gap at the top of the standings when they take on Kenya Commercial Bank FC on Thursday.

Gor beat seventh place Ulinzi Stars FC (36) 2-1 on Monday afternoon at the Afraha Stadium to pull nine points clear of their closest challengers Sofapaka FC (49).

Erisa Ssekisambu and Samuel Onyango were on target for the record league champions, either side of an Enosh Ochieng’ goal to put them on course for a third successive title.

The SPL champions only need four wins from their remaining nine matches to secure an unprecedented 18th league title.

Gor now travel to Kisumu where they host KCB, who inflicted a shock 1-0 defeat on them in January, amid chaos at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Sofapaka, who are on a 12-match unbeaten streak, will need to continue their imperial form in the top flight when they host 15th place Posta Rangers FC (25) tomorrow in Machakos.

Both teams are coming off stalemates and John Baraza’s Batoto Ba Mungu go into the game knowing nothing less than three points will suffice if they are to challenge for a second-ever crown.

Bandari FC (45) also have the opportunity to reduce the point difference between them and Sofapaka to one point if they bounce back from back to back losses with a home victory over Ulinzi.

The dockers set their sights on bettering their second-place finish from last season but a slump in performance has seen them stumble, most recently a 2-1 loss to AFC Leopards FC (34).

Leopards have rediscovered their form in the recent past and the signings of Kenyan international David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng’ and Paul Were seem to be working well for the 12-time champions.

Andre Casa Mbungo’s team have not tasted defeat in their last eight matches and can continue their impressive run when they face Nzoia Sugar FC (32) at the Bukhungu Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Another mouth-watering clash on the cards sees current SPL top scorer Allan Wanga lead his Kakamega Homeboyz FC (42) against his former employers Tusker FC (35) at the same venue.

Wanga won the SPL title with Tusker in 2016 and currently captains a Homeboyz side, who are having an outstanding season and remain on course for their best-ever finish in the Kenyan top flight.

The Harambee Stars international leads the Golden Boot race with 15 goals, tied with Ulinzi’s Ochieng and Sofapaka’s Umaru Kasumba follows with 14.

SPL MIDWEEK FIXTURES

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

Nzoia Sugar FC vs AFC Leopards SC – 1pm – Bukhungu Stadium

Chemelil Sugar FC vs Kariobangi Sharks FC – 1pm – Chemelil Sports Complex

Sony Sugar FC vs Vihiga United FC – 1pm – Awendo Green Stadium

Mt. Kenya United FC vs Western Stima FC – 2pm - Kenyatta Stadium

Mathare United FC vs Zoo FC – Kasarani Stadium

Kakamega Homeboyz FC vs Tusker FC – 3:15pm – Bukhungu Stadium

Sofapaka FC vs Posta Rangers FC – 4:15pm – Kenyatta Stadium

THURSDAY

Gor Mahia FC vs KCB FC – Moi Stadium

Bandari FC vs Ulinzi Stars FC – Mbaraki Stadium