By Samuel Gacharira,
In the past three seasons the title race has always gone to the wire save for last season where Gor Mahia won the league with two matches to spare.
As the race for the title enters the antepenultimate stage this weekend, it is make or break for the league leaders as they look to place a firm grip on the championship and ensure it continues to reside in their cabinet for yet another season.
On the flipside, bottom placed sides are well aware that dropping points at this crucial juncture would certainly relegate them to the chop while participation in next season’s Top 8 tournament should be enough motivation for middle table teams to keep up the tempo
FRIDAY
Tusker will return to the Moi International Sports Centre basking in the joy of a boardroom decision that awarded them three crucial points in their abandoned match against Muhoroni Youth. However, going into this game they face 11th placed Ushuru whose main agenda is to end their seven match losing streak at all costs. Both Joseph Mulume and Luke Ochieng’ will be available for selection for either teams after sitting out last weekend due to suspension.
Later on at the same venue, Nairobi City Stars will look to salvage their dwindling fortunes with a win against Francis Baraza’s men. Having gone through a four match winless streak, Robinson Ndubuisi will have to lift the morale in the dressing room ahead of this crucial encounter against opponents who will look to cement a place in the Top 8 bracket. Nelson Marasowe is expected to make a comeback to the starting lineup.
SATURDAY
The soldiers fine run will come under scrutiny when they take on Thika United at the impregnable Thika Municipal Stadium. Ulinzi’s John Nairuka will for the first time parade against his former team while Stephen Waruru will look to increase his goal tally in pursuit of the golden boot.
Visiting Nakuru All Stars will look to build on the crucial away draw against Bandari when they go head to head with Western Stima. The hosts will welcome back Job Omuse who was away on trials in Ethiopia as they look to bounce back from their heavy defeat last weekend.
SUNDAY
It will be an emotional return to Mombasa for KCB coach Rishadi Shedu when he guides his team against his former employers. The friendships will be put aside as both sets of players look to stay away from the relegation zone.
Henrik de Jong will miss the services of the 12th man when they face Chemelil Sugar. Following the GOtv Shield semifinal exit, he will look to cement his 8th placing against the hosts who boast of the meanest defense in the league.
The opening match of the double header will see 11th placed Mathare United take on 7th placed Sony Sugar. Samuel Onyango will hope to continue with his fine scoring form for the visitors while Stanley Okumbi will bank on the experience of Edgar Ochieng’ and Joseph Njuguna to register a win that will put them back in contention for a top 8 placing.
Sofapaka will return to the Machakos Stadium in high spirits after eliminating AFC Leopards from the GOtv Shield. They host the league leaders in a top of the table clash in a bid to reduce the gap between them to one point. Frank Nuttal will welcome back Musa Mohammed to the fold as hopes to get a decent result from this tie that is expected to be highly entertaining.
FIXTURE
FRIDAY 24TH OCTOBER
Ushuru vs. Tusker (1800hrs, Kasarani), Nairobi City Stars vs. Muhoroni Youth (2000hrs, Kasarani)
SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER
Thika United vs. Ulinzi Stars (Thika Municipal Stadium), Western Stima vs. Nakuru All Stars (Kisumu Stadium)
SUNDAY 26TH OCTOBER
Bandari vs. KCB (Mombasa Municipal Stadium), Chemelil Sugar vs. AFC Leopards (Kisumu Stadium), Mathare United vs. Sony Sugar (1400hrs, Machakos Stadium), Sofapaka vs. Gor Mahia (1615hrs, Machakos Stadium)
All matches start at 1500hrs unless stated.
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