Charles Nyende
27 April 2008
Nairobi — The only two unbeaten teams in the Kenyan Premier League, World Hope and Sony Sugar put their record on the line on a congested eight-match KPL league programme on Sunday that will have three matches held at one venue.
League leaders World Hope face a stern test when they travel to Thika to meet Thika United while former league champions Sony Sugar are also away to KCB at Moi International Sports Centre.
World hope are the early season form team and head to Central Kenya full of confidence bolstered by their strong away record of won one, drawn two.
Coach Bob Ogolla said the usual neutral things - that he was concentrating on each game as it comes and it was too early to start thinking about winning the league. The former Kenya international can look to rising star Levi Mwaka and the attack minded duo of Silas Aluvisia and Francis Thairu to continue Hopes inexorable momentum.
Sony Sugar are in the unfamiliar position of fifth on the league table and will want to collect their three points against KCB who need to pick themselves up after a 1-3 hiding at the hands of Mathare United a week ago.
Full strength
Sony coach Francis Baraza will welcome the return from injury of Harambee Stars trialist John Onami who will likely partner international Fred Ojwang.
Yusuf Chipo's KCB are back at full strength with the availability of Kenya Under-20 players, Christopher Omondi, Calson Mwaresa and the banker's midfield maestro Kevin Kimani.
Rejuvenated Western Stima with two wins and two draws from their last four outings have vowed to collect three points at MISC against an ominously imperious Mathare United side.
"Mathare are a good side and are handled by a very astute coach. They have been in the league for many years and finished amongst the top sides last season. So, they have an edge over us.
"But we want to prove that we can also compete at this level and will be going for all three points," Stima coach Nick Yakhama said.
Mathare's latest statistics read, 4-1 win against Tusker, 3-1 win against KCB, 14 goals scored, the highest in the 16-team league. They overwhelmingly start as favourites but coach Francis Kimanzi will be without his lead striker Francis Ouma who is reported to have travelled to Belgium for trials.
Mathare however welcome back Collins Tiego and Kevin Oliech. The third match at MISC sees Mathare Youth up against Chemelil Sugar.
Champions Tusker face struggling Ulinzi Stars at Ruaraka while Gor Mahia, cited for crowd trouble at City Stadium last weekend, host Mahakama at the same venue.
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