League action resumes as KPL seeks to recover lost time
The Kenyan Premier League action resumes on Thursday after a forced break that lasted for three weeks.
Two mid- week matches are lined up, with defending champions Gor Mahia welcoming Bandari at their City Stadium backyard.
Briton Tim Brytte will aim to start his tenure at the Thika United impressively when his side meets with Francis Baraza’s Muhoroni Youth in Thika.
CATCH UP
KPL matches had been temporarily suspended following a court order issued on February 20. The order was however lifted on Monday by Lady Justice Roselyn Aburili.
The league traditionally ends in the first week of November, but with three weeks already lost, teams will have to do with a glut of fixtures in a bid to catch up with lost time.
Speaking to Nairobi News Tuesday, KPL Chief Executive Officer, Jack Oguda, decried the three weeks of inaction, saying they will be forced to slot several mid-week fixtures to make-up.
“We are glad with the court ruling. We have always believed in the rule of law. Now we are rolling our programme and we have two matches already lined up for Thursday,” he explained.
LIFELINE
Oguda at the same time confirmed that Nairobi City Stars and Nakuru All Stars, who were ‘relegated’ last season, will feature in their league.
The two are beneficiaries of the long drawn FKF- KPL feud that has made it impossible for the latter to promote team’s from the FKF run National Super League.
“They will feature (in our league) because the governing council said yes. They (Posta Rangers) are already playing in another league and cannot be part of us,” he said.
Rangers had stormy run last term in the second tier league, topping their zone and were earmarked for promotion.
Their pedigree was evident in the Gotv Shield, the domestic cup competition, where they finished runners up to Sofapaka after losing 2-1 in the finals.
Initially the team’s management flirted with KPL before shifting camp to participate in the watered down FKF- League.
FIXTURES:
Thursday (Kick off at 4pm): Gor Mahia vs Bandari FC (City Stadium), Thika United vs Muhoroni Youth.
Saturday (Kick off 3pm unless stated): Thika United vs Mathare United (Thika Stadium), Ulinzi Stars vs Western Stima (Afraha Stadium), KCB vs Nakuru All Stars (City Stadium ), Sony Sugar vs Muhoroni Youth (Awendo Green Stadium),City Stars vs AFC Leopards (Nyayo Stadium ).
Sunday: Tusker vs Ushuru (Nyayo Stadium, 2pm), Sofapaka vs Bandari FC (Machakos Stadium) Gor Mahia vs Chemelil Sugar (Nyayo Stadium 4.15pm)