Charles Nyende
24 October 2008
Nairobi — Mathare United return to the Kenyan Premier League fray on Saturday with a tricky tie against Sher Karuturi in Naivasha looking to recapture the leadership of the league.
In other matches on Saturday, new leaders Sony Sugar also face a difficult fixture in Mombasa with Bandari while mid-table occupiers Tusker entertain Red Berets at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in a tussle whose results may twitch the relegation tale.
Mathare were inactive last weekend and as a result lost the top position to Sony by a solitary point.
Mathare may have a game in hand but coach Francis Kimanzi knows every point counts in what is becoming a very tight race for the finish line.
"I want all the points just like with every other match," Kimanzi said.
Mathare United will be without their outstanding midfieder Austin Makacha who is serving a one-match suspension for picking two yellow cards.
Set to bounce back
The two teams settled to a barren 1-1 in their first leg encounter but Mathare United, with 38 goals this season should carry the edge over Karuturi
Sony Sugar's four-match winning streak was broken last weekend when they were held to a barren draw by KCB in Awendo.
Sony coach Francis Baraza is all set to bounce back to winning ways.
"We have not come to Mombasa to donate points. We have come to win. But we know Bandari are a tough team playing in Mombasa and they will come hard at as after losing several matches away," Baraza said.
Bandari have lost their last three away matches but, significantly, won 3-1 against Western Stima in their last home tie at Mombasa Municipal Stadium.
The title-chasing Sony will be without their two injured forwards John Onmi (fractured arm) and Marwa Chamberi (thigh strain).
The sugar side though have cover in Dennis Onkangi John Oyoo, Joseph Imbusi and Tom Ochieng.
Relegation zone
Defending champions Tusker, on 30 points, have had a horrendous season.
Languishing at an unfamiliar position of 11th in the league table and with their title retention effectively dashed, respectability is their only damage control recourse.
"I have been with the team for over 10 days now and I think they are now fine. We just need to bring back the confidence in the team," Tusker new coach Nandwa said.
Tusker have lost two of their last three matches and are in danger of falling into the relegation zone should their dismal form continue.
The brewers will be without international left back John Njoroge who is away on trials in Swaziland and midfielder Kevin Omondi who is injured.
They will find Red Berets no pushovers. The para-military side have been on a surge lately with two straight wins under their belt that has pushed them to 11th position with 29 points.
KPL's IDAC on Friday awarded Gor Mahia the match against Red Berets played on October 5.
Gor had complained that Red Berets had fielded an ineligible player Saidi Hassan, who had accumulated three players.
Fixtures:
Saturday - Tusker v Red Berets (MISC), Bandari v Sony Sugar (Mombasa Municipal Stadium), Ulinzi Stars v Mathare Youth (Greensteds School), KCB v Agro Chemical (MISC), Sher Karuturi v Mathare United (Sher).
Sunday: -Thika United v Western Stima (Thika), World Hope v Chemelil Sugar (Hope Centre).
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