Daggers drawn as Sofapaka, Leopards collide in Kakamega

Sofapaka will not be taking any chances when they visit AFC Leopards in a Kenya Premier League (KPL) match at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on Wednesday.

A win over the 12-time KPL champions will have third-placed ‘Batoto Ba Mungu’ atop the KPL log on 33 points, for four days at least, as Mathare United who are second on 31 points could rise to the top when they play Kakamega Homeboyz at the same venue on Sunday.Victory in this game would catapult their points tally to 34.

Head coach John Baraza says his troops, who are on the back of a comfortable 3-0 away win over Chemelil Sugar, are well prepared and determined to secure a third consecutive victory.

“We are well prepared to play the best version of our game. We will be going for them at full force. We will be offensive and entirely focussed on wrapping up all the three points, then the table will just shape up,” said the 2009 KPL player of the season.

A win for Baraza would see the 2009 KPL champions rise to first spot on 33 points, one above leaders Bandari FC who will have played two games less.

On their side, 14th placed AFC Leopards who have garnered 16 points from as many games, will be out for a third win in a row to underline their resurgence under Rwandan coach Andre ‘Pep’ Cassa Mbungo, after enduring a six-match losing streak.

Ingwe have signed up defender David ‘Cheche’ Owino on a three-month deal as they bid to tighten their leaky back-line that has so far conceded 22 goals.

Mbungo was however coy when asked on his team’s preparedness ahead of the high stakes clash preferring not to field questions from Citizen Digital .

“I can’t discuss issues of my team over the phone,” he protested to yours truly before hanging up, perhaps underlining the immense pressure he is operating under as the big cats bid to rise up the log to evade the relegation threats that has hang over their heads like a bad smell.

A third consecutive win for Ingwe will have them rise one position, leapfrogging Posta Rangers to 13th on 19 points.

Elsewhere, second from bottom Chemelil FC will visit Western Stima at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Head coach Francis Baraza who is winless in the last three outings and fresh from a 3-0 dismantling by Sofapaka says a point from tomorrow’s match will be enough to inspire confidence in his camp.

“Our next match is away (to Western Stima). We will seek to secure a point, if we get all the three, well and good,” the former Tusker assistant coach noted.

A win could have the millers 13th  on 17 points, two off the red zone.

KPL Midweek Fixtures

AFC Leopards vs Sofapaka (Wednesday, Bukhungu Stadium)

Kariobangi Sharks vs Nzoia Sugar (Wednesday, MISC Kasarani)

Western Stima vs Chemelil Sugar (Wednesday, Moi Stadium)

Gor Mahia vs Kakamega Homeboyz (Thursday, Kenyatta Stadium)