The long wait is over, The Kenyan Premier League is here and starts this weekend after a two month break. Eight matches will be on card with three being played on day one of action on Saturday while five will be on day two Sunday 12th February. The new season promises to spark more fireworks as the league becomes more competitive. All the teams have been on a serious end season transfer business beefing up their squads with their eyes set on the Kenyan Premier League trophy currently held by champions Tusker FC.
Match One; Tusker vs Nairobi City Stars
Defending Champions Tusker FC will begin their title defense against last year’s relegation evaders Nairobi City Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium in a game that will be broadcast live on Supersport 9. Tusker, just fresh from lifting the Supersport/DSTV Super Cup after their 4-1 penalty shootout triumph over Gor Mahia will be looking to start their season in style.They will however ave to do without their key players who are out with injuries. These include Humphrey Okoti, Brian Mandela,Crispin Orlando, Dennis Mukaisi and Boniface Oluoch who is down wit Malaria.
City Stars on the other hand learnt the hard way last season, that the best way to avoid relegation is to start on a high. Coach Gideon Ochieng will not be taking chances as he starts his campaign and will be going for the brewers’ full scalp.
Last season, Tusker beat City Stars home and away and the brewers will be keen to continue in the same front. Of the six matches that the two teams have played in the league from 2009, Tusker carry the advantage of three wins with City Stars having only won once. Two of their matches have ended in draws.
Head to head;
2009- Tusker 1-1 City Stars, City Stars 3-2 Tusker
2010- City Stars 2-2 Tusker, Tusker 1-0 City Stars
2011- Tusker 1-0 City Stars, City Stars 1-2 Tusker.
The defending champions have revamped their squad heavily with their biggest investments being in midfield. Peter “Pinchez” Opiyo (Thika), Fredrick “Uche” Onyango (Sony) and Jerry Santos (KF Tirana) are the biggest additions to the strong Tusker mid. The trio combined with the ever industrious Crispin “Alphy” Olando will be Tusker’s biggest asset.
On Sunday during their super cup match, Uche and Pinchez started at the heart of midfield and though they did not click as much, they look promising for better tidings.
Tusker will be reeling on the absence of most of their regular starters who will be out injured while Jerry Santos is yet to register match fitness to start for the champions.
City Stars on the other hand have lost their dependable captain and defender Donald Mosoti who was snapped up by Gor Mahia on the last day of the transfer window. Coach Gideon Ochieng’ will be immediately tasked with finding a replacement for the defender who was their pillar throughout last season. Unfortunately they did not get an opportunity to find a perfect replacement since the deal was a fast one on the last night.
In the transfer window, they acquired the services, of John Amboko from AFC leopards and Francis Akang’o from Tusker (former Gor Mahia) and the experienced defenders might solve their defensive troubles. They also have Ronnie Kagunzi at their posts.
They will be solidly out to hold on to their giant killing tag.
Match 2; AFC Leopards vs Chemelil Sugar
AFC Leopards have never beaten Chemelil since their come back to the league in 2009, whether home or away. The best result they have achieved against the sugar millers is a draw. Out of the six games played between the two clubs, Chemelil have won thrice and drawn thrice.
2009- Chemelil -2-1 Leopards, Leopards 0-1 Chemelil
2010- Chemelil - 0-0 Leopards, Leopards 0-1 Chemelil
2011- Chemelil 1-1 Leopards, Leopards 1-1 Chemelil.
The most interesting bit of the encounter this season will be the input of Victor Ochieng and Abbas Kiwalabye. The duo moved to AFC Leopards at the beginning of the season from Chemelil. Ochieng who was one of the league top scorers last season was an important entity of the Sugar belt side helping them to an 8th place finish last season with Abbas also a key member of the Chemelil “Hit Squad”.
Both teams have their full squads at their disposal with Erick Masika expected to make a debut for Ingwe after shaking off an ankle injury from training.
Leopards’ attack line will also be boosted by the input of former HAGL striker Allan Wanga. Complementing Mike Barasa’s input in the attack line will be one of the most lethal in the league this season. But will they live to the expectations?
Chemelil are also boasting of some good additions to the club. Hadji Mwachoki was snapped up by Edward Manoah after he fell out of favor with Gor Mahia with only six months of action, with Wycliffe Opondo also joining his former team mate with the sugar millers.
Match 3; Muhoroni Youth vs Western Stima- Muhoroni
The League’s new boys Muhoroni Youth will be glad to start their experience at home when they welcome the power men. Stima are a hungry and angry lot after a dismal performance last season and will be looking to start the season on a high.
Stima are one of the teams known to start the league on a high and Muhoroni should be wary of a hungry lion.
SATURDAY
14:00 Tusker vs City Stars Nyayo
15:00 Muhoroni Youth vs Western Stima
16:00 AFC Leopards vs Chemelil Sugar Nyayo
SUNDAY
15:00 Thika United vs Gor Mahia Thika
15:00 Karuturi Sports vs Sofapaka Karuturi
15:00 SonySugar vs Mathare United Awendo
15:00 KCB vs Ulinzi Stars City
15:00 Rangers vs Oserian Nyayo
Like this Facebook page MICHEZOAFRIKA or follow us on Twitter @michezoafrika for timely updates
You may also like
Bundesliga 2 trials for Kimani and Oliech
My time will come ‘Kila kitu pole pole’ – Mang’oli
Masika itching for Ingwe debut
Collins Okoth speaks out