KPL returns weekend with eight matches scheduled

After a one month break, the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) resumes this weekend with eight matches scheduled.

According to title holders Coach Marcello ‘Ze Maria’ Ferreira, Gor Mahia FC alias K’Ogalo is walking the green mile in the quest to retain the title.

Squads have been bolstered, others weakened during the June transfer window that closes on Saturday, June 2^nd, 2016 midnight with cash strapped Sofapaka and City Stars being the biggest casualties of talent transfers.

Besides players, coaches have moved too. Notably, the former City Stars boss John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla joins City Stars while Ken Odhiambo continues to lead Bandari on interim basis after the axing of his predecessor Twahir Muhidin.

After starting the season brilliantly, AFC Leopards slowed down in the last stages of the first round, coach Ivan Jack Minnaert’s ranking dropping to 11th while table topping Tusker FC has little to boast about with only four points separating the Ruaraka-based club and the fifth placed Posta Rangers.

The Paul Nkata’s side faces Posta at home in Machakos, and the former Ugandan international acknowledges it’s not time to rest on their laurels.

“Everybody has strengthened their team during the transfer window and so obviously you can expect the second leg of the season to be much harder and so we will try as much as possible to get maximum points from every team we face. We are hoping we can get at least one more signing preferably an attacking player and I think maybe then we will be very ready for what lies ahead.”

“We used the two games we lost against Gor in the KPL top 8 to understand where we need to strengthen and what aspects of our game we need to change and improve on,” charged the soft spoken Nkata.

He, however, revealed some of his newly acquired may not be ready for Posta duel, but expressed his satisfaction with the options he has in the team. so very technically disciplined.”

While Uganda’s Bul FC Hashim Sempla, former Azam’s striker Allan Wanga, Robert Omunuk and George Mandela are the key players who have joined Nkata’s camp in the transfer, only John Nairuka has been added to Posta from Ulinzi Stars.

Tuker’s captain James Situma says he knows the challenge ahead but is equally optimistic.

“The gap between the top six teams is so minimal that at the moment it’s anybody’s game, our main focus is remaining at the top of the table. We have incorporated some players from the youth team and we are willing to give them time so that they can familiarize with the new structure.”

“We expect the three new signings to add some depth to the team because they have enough experience to know what it takes to remain at the top. We call Paul Nkata ‘mwalimu’ at the training ground because of the way he likes teaching us new things and his specific style has been the main reason why we performed marvelously in the first leg,” Situma told Citizen Digital.

But it is the 15-times champions Gor who have openly declared their intentions for a treble this season, and Thika United will be putting on scales the champions’ quest for the glory.

“I tell my players Gor Mahia is a big team and any player putting on the club’s jersey must prove his worth. The mentality is winning game after game and competition and competition,” told Ze Maria on his charges possibility of bagging three trophies.

He lauded the competition in the team, saying it will enhance every player’s work rate.

Besides the fiery Rwandan international Jacques Tuyisenge, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, Enoch Agwanda, and Jacob Keli, Gor has roped in speed star Baron Oketch and last season’s club second top scorer member Meddie Kagere to diversify striking options.

Having rested most of his first team members in the Mombasa Mahakama mauling 3-0 in the GOTV shield cup a week ago, the Brazilian coach has a rejuvenated squad to choose from.

Thika, who are on a steady resurgence since the arrival of coach James Nandwa, have not won against Gor in the last seven outings, managing only two draws.

AFC, who escaped narrowly an upset by nationwide division one side Mumbi National a week ago, will face a litmus test against Chemelil away in Kisumu.

Yusuf Suf and Joshua Mawira both signed from City Stars, John Ndirangu, Charles Bruno, Harun Nyakha, returning former captain Jackson Saleh, Edwin Wafula, Bernad Mang’oli and former Posta keeper Ian Otieno are expected to provide the blend Minnaert has been seeking.

Ulinzi and Mathare United, tied second on the log with 27 points, will lock horns at the Nairobi’s Nyayo Satadium on Saturday afternoon. After a shock elimination of the Soldiers from the KPL Top 8 by Muhoroni Youth, Head coach Robert Matano will be out to mend affairs against Mathare.

“We can do less but do more, that less can produce more. You get one chance and you utilize it, but getting many chances, just rushing, no communication you can’t get it right. I expect them to respond going to the league,” Matano remarked after the Shield Cup exit.

Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash, his opposite Francis Kimanzi is tight lipped about his thoughts but keen to take a match at a time, believing the league is open to anyone so far.

Full fixtures: