Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia face another acid test on their title credentials this season when they host Kenya Police at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday afternoon in Round 17 of the 2022/2023 league campaign.Having not tasted defeat since 4 January, a streak that has seen the 19-time Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions record seven wins and three draws in ten matches, Gor Mahia are set to face a stern test as they come up against Francis Baraza’s Kenya Police who are equally in a confident mood having only lost one game in their last ten matches (W7 D2 L1).🟢 | TICKET INFO The info is out, Saturday’s match ( Gor Mahia v Police FC – Kasarani Stadium) tickets 👇#Sirkal | #GorFansClub pic.twitter.com/TkzNOWJU8Z— GOR FANS CLUB (@OfficialGMFC) February 23, 2023 With six points also the only difference between the log leading K’Ogalo and the law administrators who are perched up in fourth place, the tie promises to deliver an early sneak peek into which team can take an early momentum in the title race.Heading into the game, however, K’Ogalo boss Johnathan McKinstry has backed his side to get the job done as they look to continue their impressive streak that has them lose only one game in 15 matches.##NAJAVA_MECA_7053342##“We know how tough our opponents are but this does not interfere with our preparations as we are ready for the challenge. The team is in high spirits and training has been good this week. We are confident we can bag all three points,” the head coach said.Both teams get into the clash boasting two of the most in-form strikers in the division as Gor have Benson Omala who tops the scoring charts with 15 goals while Police’s Elvis Rupia is second on the charts with 11 goals.Good evening folks, hope y’all doing great. What’s trending out there? 🌍🇰🇪Keep on believing 💥#GodAboveAll pic.twitter.com/9siG2Y7K0C— Benson Omalla (@BensonOmalla) February 24, 2023 The clash also sees the two sides with the meanest defense locking horns as Gor have only conceded six goals – the lowest in the league – with Police letting in one more.With the last encounter between the two sides ending with a 0-2 Police win after the first leg produced a 1-1 draw, will K’Ogalo get their revenge?The match will kick off at 1500EAT.Mbaraki ShowdownIn Mombasa, Bandari FC will welcome Bidco United to their Mbaraki Sports Complex in a crunch FKF Premier League tie.The Dockers are unbeaten in their last four games. They have won three and registered a draw in the other. Bidco on the other hand have won the last two games. On the table, the two teams are separated by just one point. Eighth placed United have 22 points while Bandari in the tenth position have managed 21.It will be a big task for coach Anthony Akhulia as his team has never beaten Bandari in a league match. The two clubs have faced off four times; two have ended in wins for Bandari while the other two have ended in draws.The Dockers are no longer dropping points anyhow and Kimani says it is down to the growing confidence in the team and despite being at home and having the head to head advantage he is cautious ahead of the game.“The players are getting their confidence back. They have also worked on their concentration levels, and no longer conceding late goals. It is going to be a tough match. Anthony Akhulia is a very good coach so I expect a tactical game against him,” he said.On his part Akhulia is happy with is team’s defensive improvements. “We are starting to get it right in terms of defending as a team, as we have been conceding goals in each game that we have played. In the last two matches, we won 3-0 and 2-0; thus, the whole team is working well in defending and hopefully we continue that way”.Ingo Derby At the Bukhungu Stadium, hosts Kakamega Homeboyz are hoping to return to winning ways when they host Vihiga Bullets in a clash dubbed the Ingo Derby.Homeboyz have not won in the last three; picking a draw and two defeats the visitors on the other hand have lost eight games in a row . In Bullets, they face a team in disarray. Coach George Owoko resigned a week ago and are yet to replace him.The team is also facing financial problems, some players like Enock Masinza have already exited and the remaining once are not settled, all these could work on Homeboyz’s favour.The hosts have a new coach in Patrick Odhiambo and he will be keen on getting the points against Bullets to kick start his reign after picking a point in a barren draw against Nairobi City Stars a week ago.The two teams have met twice in the league with Homeboyz winning both encounters. The Saturday clash presents Bullets with a chance.Kasarani Annex double headerNzoia Sugar have a slim chance of scaling to the summit. This will only come to pass if they inflict pain on FC Talanta at Kasarani Annex.Nzoia have dropped to third on the log with 32 points, two behind leaders Gor Mahia and one off the second-placed KCB.Should the sugarmen cut Talanta down to size and Gor Mahia fall to Police, then the Bungoma based club will reclaim the top spot.##NAJAVA_MECA_7053343##Ahead of the duel that is scheduled to start at 3:15pm, coach Salim Babu says he is confident of securing the three points despite the absence of Felicien Okanda who is injured.”We have prepared well for the game. We have spent the past days polishing the areas that have been letting us down,” said the former Wazito gaffer.Nzoia will be boosted by the return of Ian Karani who missed the last encounter due to a slight knock.Talanta on the other hand, will be hoping to bag the fourth win of the season and enhance their chances of finishing inside the top half.The club will have to do without the services of four influential players including skipper Brian Yakhama who all, are injured.##NAJAVA_MECA_7053340##The other three are right back Alvin Ochieng, Michael Jairo and veteran goalkeeper Kevin Olang’o.The game will be curtain raised by the clash pitting four-time Kenyan champions Ulinzi Stars who are set to confront Nairobi City Stars.The soldiers played Gor to a barren draw in their previous encounter while City Stars who are not off the hook yet, held Kakamega to a barren draw.
