Sofapaka host KRA as premier league action resumes

Action resumes on Thursday in the Kenyan Premier League after a ten- day international break with title chasing Sofapaka playing host to a free- falling Kenya Revenue Authority at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Prior to the break, Sofapaka had lost ground to leaders Gor Mahia in the chase for the coveted title after they dropped two crucial points at the Awendo Green Stadium following a 2-2 draw with Sony Sugar.

The result allowed the high riding K’Ogalo to establish a four-point lead at the summit of the log.

A win against KRA will haul Sofapaka’s points tally to 50, one adrift of the champions who will not be in action until Sunday when they host 2008 champions Mathare United.

From its last two matches, Sofapaka have amassed four points and a win in Machakos will be a timely boost ahead of what is expected to be a make or break tie with K’Ogalo at the same venue next Sunday.

However despite heading to Thursday’s fixture as overwhelming favourites, Sofapaka head coach Sam Timbe is fuming over the potential absence of the enigmatic forward Enock Agwanda who had travelled with the national football team to Morocco and featured in the 3-0 defeat to the Atlas Lions in Marrakech in an international friendly.

MATCH POSTPONED

“Agwanda (Enock) has not arrived .The rules are very clear, even if you lack one player the match should be postponed. I don’t know why it has been allowed to proceed,” he complained.

Reflecting on the match, the fiery tactician said that his charges are challenging for the title and will not be complacent against their lowly opponents.

“We are preparing for the game just like any other. We are taking each match as it comes. Our motivation is to win because we are challenging for the title,” he said.

Besides missing Agwanda who has already scored nine times this term, the Ugandan coach will be without utility defender Thomas ‘Heskey’ Wanyama who is in the sick bay nursing a knee injury.

The match is expected to be explosive with KRA out to prove a point. After a stormy run in the first leg, the Ken Kenyatta-coached side has of late put disjointed performances, a stark contrast to the enviable first leg run in which they at one time forced their way to the top three bracket.

Coach Kenyatta is yet to taste victory in the last six matches. His last outing prior to the international break was a 3-1 defeat to Muhoroni Youth and he will be crossing his fingers that influential midfielder Geoffrey Kataka can find his spark back.

Forward Joseph Mulume will however not feature on account of five yellow cards suspension.

On Friday, trouble plagued AFC Leopards will host John Kamau’s Thika United aiming to haul themselves to the top ten bracket after a poor season run.

Fixtures:

Thursday

Sofapaka vs KRA - Machakos - 3pm

Friday

AFC Leopards vs Thika United - City Stadium - 4pm