Test of nerves as 2016 KPL enters the home homestretch

Gor Mahia FC were inflicted their first domestic title heartbreak of the season at the hands of Muhoroni Youth FC in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top 8 tournament and on Saturday the top flight champions travel to Moi Stadium in Kisumu seeking revenge.

The record 15-time champions have been unrivaled for the last three seasons but are have found worthy opponents in Tusker FC who are threatening to knock them off their perch.

The Brewers hold a four-point lead over K’Ogalo at the summit of the KPL and could be crowned champions with two matches to spare should Muhoroni win.

While much talk has been dominated by whether new AFC Leopards Coach Stewart Hall can inspire the 12-time titleholders to their first win in eight and keep Gor in the title race, Muhoroni’s Coach Tom Juma says his charges have no mercy for Gor.

“It is not about giving Tusker the trophy or denying Gor, it is about doing the best for ourselves. We beat them in the Top 8 and we want to prove it was not a fluke.

“We are also chasing a top eight finish so that we defend our title next season. It will be a tough challenge but we are going for maximum points,” Juma told Citizen Digital.

Muhoroni are 10th on the log on 35 points and need to win their remaining two matches and pray Sony Sugar and Posta Rangers drop points to finishing among the top eight.

Posta are eighth on 39, just three above Sony whom they face on Saturday.

Regardless of what happens in Kisumu the Brewers will be confirmed KPL champions for the first time since 2012 and clinch the domestic double after bagging the GOtv Shield with victory over Ingwe.

“We are almost there and we cannot afford to drop guard because we know there is a hungry team breathing down our necks,” Tusker Ugandan boss Paul Nkata told the media after edging Sony 1-0 on Saturday.

-Grand finale –

His Gor counterpart Jose Marcelo Ferreira is focusing on their duel against Muhoroni but hopes Leopards can stop their title rivals and set a mouthwatering final day showdown when the 2016 KPL folds on November 19 when they host Tusker.

He told Citizen Digital he expects their arch rivals to give the Brewers their best shot with Gor Secretary General, Ronald Ngala, insisting they will only stop believing when they are mathematically out of the race.

At the bottom of the table, Sofapaka FC have an uphill task against Mathare United on Sunday before entertaining Leopards in their last match in their battle to avoid joining Nairobi City Stars in the KPL relegation scrap heap.

A win for the Batoto ba Mungu will see them level on 25 with Ushuru FC should the latter lose to City Stars later Friday.

In other weekend KPL matches, Bandari FC host Western Stima, Thika United lock horns with Chemelil Sugar and Ulinzi Stars visit Kakamega Homeboyz.