Gor face Ulinzi, Tusker battle KCB as KPL teams turn to build up ties
Mathare United's Eric Mmata (left) challenges Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch during their Kenyan Premier League match at City Stadium on February 21, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Gor will face Democratic Republic of Congo giants AC Leopards in the first leg of their Caf Champions League first round tie next weekend
- Gor coach Frank Nuttall told Nation Sport on Friday that the his team will use the match against the combative soldiers as part of the preparation ahead of the continental assignment.
- Western Stima, who beat KCB 2-0 in the opening match, will take on West Kenya Sugar and Kakamega High School in Mumias this weekend.
With the Kenyan Premier League fixtures suspended due to the ongoing court battle between the league body and Football Kenya Federation, champions Gor Mahia have decided to engage Ulinzi Stars in a friendly match at the Nairobi City Stadium on Saturday.
Gor, who face Democratic Republic of Congo giants AC Leopards in the first leg of their Caf Champions League first round tie next weekend, will battle Robert Matano's charges in what is expected to be an entertaining duel from 3pm.
(READ: Gor Mahia stay alive in Africa)
At the Ruaraka Sports grounds, Tusker have a date with KCB in another all-KPL friendly match scheduled to start at 9am while league giants AFC Leopards will make a short trip to the Bata Stadium in Limuru where they will face take on minnows Vistas FC.
Fourteen KPL clubs had opened their 2015 season a fortnight ago when the league started with seven matches across the country, but the prevailing stand-off between the league body and the federation has since seen the matches shelved pending a ruling by the High Court scheduled for next Friday.
Gor coach Frank Nuttall told Nation Sport on Friday that the his team will use the match against the combative soldiers as part of the preparation ahead of the continental assignment.
SOFAPAKA OUT
K'Ogalo are Kenya's only remaining representative in Africa after domestic cup holders Sofapaka were bundled out of the Caf Confederation Cup by FC Platinum from Zimbabwe last weekend.
(READ: Sofapaka bow out of Confed Cup)
“We've just trained a few days after returning from Madagascar and I think we need a build-up match against a strong team as part of our preparations. The game will help the players stay focused,” said the Scot who led Gor to their historic 14th league crown last term.
In the early morning contest at Ruaraka, the brewers will face the Rishadi Shedu-led KCB and Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi says he is relishing the opportunity to give his charges a chance to impress as they await the resumption of the KPL league.
“We have seen it worthy to play a few matches just as a way of staying consistent," said the former Harambee Stars coach.
"I will try as much as possible to give all the players a chance to prove themselves during the match.”
In another friendly matches, Western Stima, who beat KCB 2-0 in the opening match, will take on West Kenya Sugar and Kakamega High School in Mumias this weekend.
