Western rivals Leopards, Homeboyz spice SPL return

The SportPesa Premier League (SPL) returns on Wednesday after a fortnight international break with the first installment of the ‘Western Derby’ between high-flying AFC Leopards and new boys Kakamega Homeboyz in Nairobi offering the main subplot.

Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium that was the scene of riots on Sunday when Harambee Stars lost their 2017 AFCON qualifier to Guinea Bissau on Sunday will host the second high charged encounter in days with the battle of supremacy in the football mad western region of the country at stake.

Only the big clash between title-favourites Bandari FC and military giants Ulinzi Stars who finished second last season at Mombasa’s Mbaraki Stadium has the ability on paper to share the headlines with the all-western encounter.

The vibes of the traditional Isikuti drums will rent the air when the undisputed giants who are based in the capital welcome the ‘pretenders’ to their throne from Kakamega, the town considered to be the cradle of the western region.

Unbeaten Leopards are second only on goal difference from Mathare United at the summit of the SPL log after five rounds, four points above the promoted side who are on seven and sitting eighth ahead of the clash with the game penned for a 4:15pm local time (+3GMT) start.

Leopards Assistant Coach, Nicholas Muyoti, said they are going into the match fully aware of the top quality Homeboyz possess.

“We do not undermine any team and it is completely untrue to presume that Homeboyz are the underdogs going into this match. We have played them once in a league match and severally in friendly matches and so we know what they are made of. They are a top team,” he underscored.

“The Easter holidays have given us enough rest and we feel the break has worked to our advantage. We’ve had enough time to prepare for tomorrow’s game and now ready to face them,” the former Leopards lynch pin charged.

Muyoti however, downplayed reports that Leopards are on the verge of agreeing to a deal with Stars winger, Paul Were that will see the fast paced winger reunite with the club following his Greece side FC Kalloni’s relegation from the Super League.

“To be honest we are not aware of such plans by the club and I’m shocked to see the media report that we are bringing Were back. He is a top player but as for me and on behalf of the Head Coach I can confirm that we do not have such information,” he reiterated.

-Warning shot-

Homeboyz chairman, Cleophas Shimanyula, fired a warning shot at Ingwe ahead of  the highly anticipated derby.

“We are going to be a force to reckon with this season but our primary focus is to be the top SPL outfit from the Western region. Tomorrow’s match a big one for us. We’re expecting a tough game and we have to be ready for it,” Shimanyula who was speaking to Citizen Digital lit the touchpaper.

He added that even as the team wraps up its preparations for the match, he is concerned that their looming clash with defending champions Gor Mahia on Saturday could be a major distraction, blaming the league organiser’s for the tight schedule.

“We have to travel to Nairobi tomorrow to face Ingwe and then travel back on Thursday. This means we’ll only have one day (Friday) available for a full training session. We should have been allowed more time between the matches,” lamented Shimanyula who has seen his side win twice, lose two and draw one.

Elsewhere in the seven-match midweek programme on Wednesday, Mathare have the chance to rum the pressure on Leopards before the kick-off when they welcome strugglers Nairobi City Stars in the first game of the televised double header at Nyayo in the 2pm kick-off.

Francis Kimanzi’s side who are also unbeaten will be fancied to scoop maximum points against John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla’s City Stars who are eight points in arrears and languishing in 13th.

Posta Rangers host bottom placed Sony Sugar in Ruaraka with the new boys who are enjoying their return to the top flight out to nail the 2006 champions who are looking early candidates for relegation.

Title-chasing Tusker FC are out to continue their rich away form when they travel to Chemelil Sugar while Western Stima will be at home in Kisumu against fading 2009 champions Sofapaka who are a place above bottom.

But fittingly, the Leopards vs Homeboyz battle will be the last fixture on the programme allowing all to sit and pay attention.

Report by Titus Mumelo and Edwin Musalia