Gor Battle Zoo Aiming For SPL Top Spot, Vihiga Host Leopards

NAIROBI, Kenya- SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC resume domestic duty on Wednesday with the chance to go top of the standings as they take on Zoo FC at the Kericho Green Stadium.

Gor’s last SPL assignment was a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory over Kakamega Homeboyz FC at the Kenyatta Stadium on March 14, with Boniface Omondi and Francis Mustapha finding the back of the net.

The Hassan Oktay side recently made history when they beat Petro Atletico de Luanda 1-0 at the Kasarani Stadium to become the first Kenyan team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederations Cup.

The record league winners are currently in third place with 32, one less than leaders Sofapaka FC (32) and second-placed Bandari FC who are level on points.

Gor have the advantage with three games in hand and look on course to retain the title they won last season under the tutelage of Briton Dylan Kerr.

Their hosts Zoo (16) have only managed one win in their last five matches and will need to quell the danger posed by their former striker Nicholas Kipkirui if they are to better their 16th position on the log.

At the Bukhungu Stadium, 13th place AFC Leopards SC (19) will take on Vihiga United FC (18) who are a place below them on the table, as both teams look to move further away from the dreaded relegation zone.

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Leopards look to have rediscovered their form, coming off an impressive 2-1 victory over Western Stima FC (26) courtesy of goals from Vincent Oburu and a last gasp winner by Marcel Kaheza.

The first game lined up in midweek will see the league leaders Sofapaka take on bottom side Mt. Kenya United FC (12), who are on a three-match losing streak.

The game at the Kenyatta Stadium will be the first of a double-header with Kenya Commercial Bank FC (22) hosting Stima later in the day.

Sofapaka, who won the league in 2009, are in great form and have not conceded a goal in their last three matches, which they have all won.

Bandari’s form has been in tatters in recent weeks that has seen them not win a single match in their last four and a match against Homeboyz (24) is on the cards for the coast-based side.

Bernard Mwalala’s charges need to turn their season around if they are to achieve their season target of winning the title after coming ever so close last season with their highest ever finish.

Homeboyz have only lost once in their last five and will turn to goal-scoring machine Allan Wanga, who is joint-top of the Golden Boot race alongside Ulinzi Stars FC forward Enosh Ochieng’ with nine goals.

Ulinzi will host sixth-place Sony Sugar FC (28) at the Afraha Stadium as they seek to maintain their five-match unbeaten run and continue with their steady rise on the SPL table.

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Mathare United FC (31) also have the chance to return to the SPL top three if they battle to a win against 17th place Posta Rangers FC (16).

A loss for the mailmen will see them sink even deeper into the relegation zone and face an uphill task if they are to avoid the axe at the end of the season.

SPL MIDWEEK FIXTURES

WEDNESDAY (All matches kick-off at 3PM unless stated)

Sofapaka FC vs Mt. Kenya United FC – 2pm – Kenyatta Stadium

Zoo FC vs Gor Mahia FC- Kericho Green Stadium

Vihiga United FC vs AFC Leopards – Bukhungu Stadium

Bandari FC vs Kakamega Homeboyz FC – Mbaraki Stadium

Tusker FC vs Kariobangi Sharks FC – Ruaraka Stadium

Ulinzi Stars vs Sony Sugar FC – Afraha Stadium

KCB FC vs Western Stima FC – Kenyatta Stadium

THURSDAY

Mathare United FC vs Posta Rangers FC – Kenyatta Stadium