Tore Bobe host Brewers as League resumes after holidays break
The top tier Football Kenya Federation-Premier League (FKF-PL) resumes this weekend following the long Christmas holiday break with exciting games on the cards.
Round 17 of the league get into action with six matches on the cards. An interesting clash is anticipated this Saturday at Gusii Stadium with Shabana FC playing host to 13 times league champions Tusker FC in a televised match beginning at 2pm.The Brewers are enjoying some good form with league current top scorer Ryan Ogam already on 12 goals and aiding the team to joint tops on 27 points albeit with a slim goal difference.
Popularly known as Tore Bobe, the Kisii-based outfit is a thorn in anyone’s flesh at home. Currently, Shabana under the tutelage of Coach Peter Okidi are perched in ninth place with 20 points off 15 matches. Therefore, this duel is expected to be a cracker with a win over the host team likely to hoist Charles Okere’s Brewers into top place with current holders KCB FC having a rest this weekend.
In another interesting duel, Ulinzi Stars FC host league debutantes Mara Sugar FC at Dandora Stadium on Sunday. Both sides have not had a smooth run in recent times. Mara in 10th place with 19 points, have one win against four losses in the past five matches and have a goal difference of 0. The match will take place at 1pm and televised by Azam TV.
On their part, the soldiers are enduring their worst start to a season in as many years and are in unfamiliar territory presently with 16 points off 15 matches having only won three matches thus far in the campaign.
Elsewhere, the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County will hold a double-header Saturday. The first lunch-hour duel will be featuring strugglers Posta Rangers FC against Nairobi City Stars FC in a game to be played at 1pm.
Bottom placed Posta are facing imminent threat of relegation even before the second leg proper begins. In 14 matches played, they have won only twice and are on 11 points with the last five matches. On the contrast, City Stars also known by their followers as Simba wa Nairobi is 13th on the log albeit with 16 points off 15 games played.
The latter match in the same venue will be pitting FC Talanta in 16th place and Westerners Kakamega Homeboyz FC. Talanta have two losses in a row in the previous year and are currently on 14 points and deep in trouble as well unless fortunes change rapidly. Homeboyz on the other hand in 14th place have tied their last four matches and are still not looking very safe with 16 points bag in 15 matches.
Other matches lined up this weekend include; slum boys derby Mathare United FC vs Kariobangi Sharks FC at Dandora Stadium in a 4pm kick-off Sunday.
The two are separated by a single point with Mathare in 11th and Sharks in 12th place. Bidco United and Muranga Seal FC close the weekend Sunday with a duel at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos slated for 3pm.
Seal are in eighth place with 21 points following three consecutive wins while Bidco under Anthony Akhulia are facing bleak moments and are currently 17th placed in the log with three straight losses and on 14 points.