Weekend football preview: Mara Sugar target Leopards as National Super League race heats up
The hosts, coached by Edward Manoah, will be eager to convert their recent run of draws into a statement victory against one of Kenya’s most established sides.
Kenyan football fans are in for an action-packed weekend as the Sportpesa League and National Super League take centre stage across the country, with several fixtures lined up from Saturday through Monday.
Awendo’s Green Stadium opens the action this afternoon when Mara Sugar hosts AFC Leopards.
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The hosts, coached by Edward Manoah, will be eager to convert their recent run of draws into a statement victory against one of Kenya’s most established sides.
The Sugar men are unbeaten in their last three matches but have struggled to turn dominance into goals, their latest outing being a hard-fought 0–0 draw against Bandari FC.
Mara currently sits 11th on the table with seven points from six matches, and will once again rely on forward David Omondi, whose brace earlier this season secured a 2–1 win over Ulinzi Stars.
Their visitors, AFC Leopards, travel to Awendo brimming with confidence after three straight victories without conceding. Fred Ambani’s charges have found their rhythm, following up a 2–0 win over Mathare United courtesy of goals from Vincent Mahiga and James Kinyanjui with disciplined performances across the pitch.
Midfielder James Kinyajui continues to orchestrate play from midfield, while defender Kennedy Odhiambo Owino has anchored a resolute backline. Ingwe enter as favourites, but Mara Sugar’s home advantage and fighting spirit could make this one a close contest.
Elsewhere, at Dandora Stadium, newcomers Nairobi United will look to maintain their impressive home form when they welcome Kariobangi Sharks.
The Naibois have had a promising start to life in the top tier, collecting nine points from five matches to sit sixth. Coach Nicholas Muyoti hopes his attacking trio, who starred in last weekend’s 3–1 win over Bandari, can continue their scoring touch.
For Sharks, the pressure is mounting. William Muluya’s men have struggled in front of goal, sitting 16th with six points from seven matches. Their goalless draw against Shabana FC last time out showed defensive improvement but highlighted their lack of cutting edge. Having not won since beating Mathare United 2–1, they will be desperate to reignite their season.
With both sides keen to prove a point, fans at Dandora can expect a lively, end-to-end affair.
National Super league table toppers Kibera Black Stars. (Kibera Black Stars)
In other pitches, the FKF National Super League (NSL) enters Round Seven this weekend with the race for early supremacy heating up after a dramatic round that produced goals, comebacks, and surprises across the country.
The top of the table remains tightly contested, with Kibera Black Stars, Migori Youth, and Mombasa United all tied on 13 points after six matches, separated only by goal difference. Naivas FC sit just behind on 11 points, while 3K FC, MOFA, and Talanta lurk closely behind.
Last weekend, Migori Youth suffered their first defeat of the campaign, going down 3–2 to Equity Bank in Ngong despite goals from Fred Ologi and Woodvine Okoth. Equity’s inspired victory lifted them to eighth, setting up an intriguing clash this weekend against league leaders Kibera Black Stars at the Hope Centre in Kawangware.
Black Stars have been rock solid defensively, conceding just three goals all season and will look to maintain that discipline against an Equity side full of belief after toppling the early pacesetters.
In Kirinyaga, Fortune Sacco hosts Nairobi City Stars at the Kianyaga Grounds, hoping to build on their dramatic 3–2 comeback win over Gucha Stars last time out. City Stars, meanwhile, sit 13th and are seeking a response after back-to-back defeats.
Unbeaten Nzoia Sugar will welcome Vihiga United to the Sudi Stadium in a Western derby. Nzoia have drawn five of their six games and will be targeting a breakthrough win to climb higher up the table. Vihiga, boosted by a 1–0 derby win over Luanda Villa, will look to extend its momentum.
In other fixtures, Talanta FC hosts Luanda Villa at Ruaraka, while Naivas face Soy United in Ngong in a battle of contrasting forms. MOFA visit MCF in Ndalani, and 3K FC entertain Kisumu AllStars in Embu.
On Sunday, Migori Youth return home to Awendo to face Gucha Stars, eager to bounce back after last weekend’s setback. Meanwhile, Wundanyi Stadium hosts a bottom-of-the-table clash between Mwatate United and Kabati Youth, with both sides chasing their first win of the season.
The NSL round wraps up on Monday at the coast as Mombasa United welcome Darajani Gogo at the KPA Sports Club in Mbaraki, a fixture that could reshape the top three if either side claims maximum points.
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