Four matches are scheduled for this Saturday in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) as the competition enters Round 17.Embattled AFC Leopards will seek to extend their unbeaten streak when they face a struggling and relegation-threatened FC Talanta at Dandora Stadium.Earlier at the same venue, Kariobangi Sharks will host Ulinzi Stars, with the game kicking off at 1:00 PM.Elsewhere, Mara Sugar will return to Awendo Green Stadium to host Mathare United, while Bidco United makes the long journey to Mumias to face Kakamega Homeboyz at the Mumias Sports Complex. Both matches are set to start at 2:00 PM.NSL newcomers docked points as FKF cracks whip on indisciplined teamsAFC Leopards vs. FC TalantaIngwe, will clash with the Communication Authority of Kenya-sponsored FC Talanta at Dandora Stadium. Leopards aim to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches, while Talanta hopes to halt a three-game losing streak.Leopards secured a 2-0 victory over Bandari in their previous league outing. However, their preparations for this encounter were disrupted by internal unrest.On Thursday, the players staged a go-slow after being paid only Ksh 15,000 as part of their December salaries, with the promise that the remaining balance would be cleared later.The players reported for training as usual on Thursday morning but refused to participate, demanding full payment before returning to the pitch.This protest followed weeks of discontent in the camp, as players entered the festive season without their salaries, impacting their ability to celebrate with their families.Dennis Oalo on effects of Muyoti’s exit from Nairobi City StarsAn agreement between the players and management was reached on Friday, allowing training to resume. Fans will hope the disruption does not affect the team’s performance.Talanta, meanwhile, is grappling with significant player exits, leaving head coach Jackline Juma facing an uphill task to reverse the team’s fortunes.Talanta has managed only one win in their last eight matches and currently sits second from the bottom on the league table with 14 points from 16 games.Statistically, the Big Cats are the favorites, having won three of their last six encounters against Talanta, with the remaining three ending in draws. Talanta has never defeated Leopards.A win for Leopards could see them climb to fourth place, a point ahead of arch-rivals Gor Mahia, while a victory for Talanta would lift them to 15th place.##NAJAVA_MECA_8644652##Kariobangi Sharks vs. Ulinzi StarsIn the early kick-off, Kariobangi Sharks, placed 11th on the table, will face Ulinzi Stars. The military side, coached by Danstun Nyaudo, aims to secure a third consecutive win for the first time this season, following victories over Nairobi City Stars and Mara Sugar.Sharks, in contrast, have struggled with only one win in their last 12 matches. However, they will welcome the return of Keith Imbali and goalkeeper Sebastian Wekesa, which could bolster their squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_8644764##Mara Sugar vs. Mathare United At the Awendo Green Stadium, Mara Sugar will be hosting Mathare United with the Millers hoping the recent shake-up in the technical bench will steer them to a maiden victory this year.The Slum Boys will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games and extend their momentum from their last barren draw game against Kariobangi Sharks in the Slums derby.##NAJAVA_MECA_8644766##In the final match of the day, Bidco United will make a long trip to Mumias where they are set to squire against Kakamega Homeboyz.Following a hard-fought victory over FC Talanta last weekend, first assistant captain Brian Eshihanda believes they will be counting on home advantage to make it two in a row.”We have not been consistent with the wins since August last year, and we intend to put an end to that trend by going all out for a win,” he remarked.A win for Homeboyz will propel them five places up the log to eighth place, with two points separating them from the top five, a goal Chala states the team has set.”Our mathematics is to work our way into the top five positions, which in turn will give us a good momentum to challenge for the title because the race is too wide open for any team,” he said.On the other side, Anthony Akhulia’s troops will be seeking to halt their four-game winless streak, which has seen them struggle in the relegation zone, with a win boosting them to 15th position with 18 points.Bidco aims to break their eleven-match winless streak and win against Homeboyz for the first time since promotion in 2020.
