Analysis of FKF matches back in action this weekend

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Gor Mahia FC photo:KPL

By Morgan Mwamuye

The Kenyan Premier League gets back on the arenas on Saturday April 2.

An international break saw FKF Premier League matches halted for two weeks, giving players a well needed yet deserved rest after rounds of eye-catching football in Kenyan stadiums.

The club football break however has been a tense time all round the football world; as teams fought for chances in the world cup, Kenya’s football suspension was ratified by the football governing body FIFA on Thursday 31st March during the 72nd FIFA Congress in Doha Qatar. 

The football league however is set to be back when third place, City Stars host a revitalized Bandari FC team at the Ruaraka stadium, Nairobi.

Just a single point between them proving to be among the biggest highlight of the weekend.

Nairobi City Stars however has been on a poor run of results loosing 3 out 5 league matches.

Coach Nicholas Muyoti has ironed out the defence and chance creation as a lacking area in his first eleven and had planned to use the 15-day recess as a window to work and improve on the areas.

Unlike the Nairobians, the dockers has seen rounds of good results since the appointment of Anthony Kimani as new head coach. In four games in the month of March, Bandari have won 3 and took home a point from 2-2 draw against AFC leopards at the Nyayo Stadium.

Through their social media handles, Bandari announced the return of three important players who had missed out on most games of 2022.

Farah Ominde, Keegan Ndemi and attacking midfielder Shaban Kenga are set to feature in the Nairobi clash.

( Shaban Kenga celebrates a goal. Courtesy / Bandari Twitter)

Defending champions, Tusker FC will look to gather as much points in a bid to remove the leaders from the top and keep the Kenyan Title when they invite stubborn KCB in the Capital.

The home side is unbeaten in eleven games, second place and eight points behind leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

A rough beginning to the season hasn’t killed the psyche in the brewers camp as they clapped-back all the criticism and rose above it all to rediscover their form. 

The run of fixtures must have taken toll on the players in all camps making it really important to have a break before matchday 24.

“We needed the rest because we were a bit fatigued due to the congested fixtures but now, we are rejuvenated” said Humphrey Mieno in an interview with the club’s Media.

Top 5 standings of the FKF PL © Baraka FM

A sixteenth minute strike from Brian Eshihada ensured the league leaders, Kakamega Homeboyz three vital points against former Premier League champions Ulinzi Stars at the Ask Nakuru grounds. The repeat of the tightly close-contested match will take place at the Bukhungu Stadium at 3:00 pm April Second.

Having lost one match (against Bandari FC) in 5 games, Homeboyz are the favourites in the Saturday game as the Defence Forces have been in a shaky wave if form in recent games; loosing two sharing points in two matches and only one win in the last five fixtures.

“Object in the mirror are closer than they appear” should be the mantra in the Kakamega based club and any slight change of form is as problematic as possible. 

Relegation threatened Wazito need five points in hopes to stay in the top flight league. This is going to be an uphill battle as the sixteenth place Wazito welcome most decorated Kenyan club Gor Mahia FC at the Narok County stadium in search of salvation.

 Gor Mahia unveils Andreas Spier as new coach /courtesy

Four losses in five recent games gives opponent ‘Sirkal’ an upper hand in the match. Barely a month after fan-ban decision overturned, Gor Mahia is still favourite to win the tie despite loosing a home at the Moi Stadium against Kenya Police 2-0.

The 19-time champion has seen a shift in the manegerial position this season to improve the then foul results.

German coach, Andreas Spier’s oppointment in February 1 has in turn brough an improvement in the league standings.

League debutants, Kenya Police FC are looking to stamp their authority in top flight football when they host AFC Leopards at the Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi.

Kenya Police FC players in action photo:courtesy

The law enforcers have revamped their squad with top class signings in both transfer windows this season. This hasn’t been enough to get the team three points in every game as the club has only 6 wins and ten draws in 23 games in the league.A new, coach and technical bench has inturn seen the Police camp hoping to discover their mojo before the season ends.

 Suspended Cornelius Lusaka is set to be back against former club Leopards on Sunday April 3 after picking a straight red card in the 92nd minute against KCB. Kenya Police stands in position 10 with 28 points.

In other games; 

Kariobangi Sharks host Bidco United at Kasarani Annex Stadium on Sunday April 3

Vihiga Bullet travels to Sudi stadium to face Nzoia Sugar the same day.

Talanta FC host Sofapaka who just changed coaches on 30th March.

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