National Super League leaders Migori Youth are determined to stretch their advantage at the summit when they take on struggling Kabati Youth in a high-stakes clash.
Head coach Sammy Otulo has cautioned against complacency despite Kabati’s struggles, noting that relegation-threatened sides often pose the toughest challenge. “It will be a difficult game. Teams fighting relegation always give us a hard time,” said Otulo.
He added: “Kabati Youth have made changes in their technical bench, so we don’t know the team we are going to face. We are going there for a win to enhance our chances of promotion.” Migori will, however, be without their top scorer, Syphas Otieno, who is still recovering from a knock picked up two weeks ago.
The striker is now expected to return for next weekend’s clash against Nzoia United. “We expected to have him back for this game, but the medical team has advised we give him one more week. We are hoping to have him for the Nzoia United match. He has been instrumental in our campaign,” Otulo said.
Kabati Youth head into the fixture in turmoil following the departure of head coach Hadji Bilal after a poor run of results. They sit 17th on the table with 27 points and are firmly in the relegation battle.
At the top, Migori Youth are level on 58 points with second-placed Mombasa United but enjoy a superior goal difference. Equity Bank remain third on 53 points, closely followed by Michael Olunga Foundation Academy (MOFA) on 52. MOFA boosted their promotion push earlier in the week with a convincing 3-0 win over Mully Children’s Family.
Meanwhile, Mombasa United will host Soy United on Sunday at Mombasa Sports Club, with assistant coach Hamadi Said set to take charge following the exit of veteran tactician Gilbert Selebwa. Reports indicate former Shabana defender Rodgers Aloro has joined the technical bench.
The race for the Golden Boot is also heating up. Fortune Sacco’s Collins Mwangi and Migori Youth’s Syphas Otieno are tied at the top with 17 goals each. Equity Bank’s Rashid Moyo sits on 15, while MOFA’s Vincent Nyabuto has netted 14. Further down the chart, MOFA pair Joshua Amunike and Laban Otieno have scored 10 goals apiece, alongside Soy United’s Alfred Ratol
FIXTURES
Saturday
Mwatate United vs Vihiga United, Wundandyi Stadium
Naivas vs 3K, KIHBT Ngong
MCF vs FC Talanta, MCF Sports Complex
Nairobi City Stars vs Gucha Stars, Gems Cambridge College
Kabati Youth vs Migori United, SportPesa Arena Murang’a.
Sunday
Mombasa United vs Soy United, Mombasa Sports Club
Luanda Villa vs Kibera Black Stars, Mumboha Grounds
Nzoia Sugar vs Darajani Gogo, Sudi Stadium
Equity Bank vs MOFA, Mashuru Sports Complex.
