Football Kenya Federation Premier League debutants Mara Sugar will be seeking to move within two points of log leaders KCB when they take on Sofapaka at the Awendo Green Stadium.Mara have defied all odds stacked against them to sit second on the log with 15 points from the eight matches they have played so far in their debut season.The club was largely expected to struggle to blend in before the start of the season, but they have proven many wrong with four wins, three draws, and a single loss.Their build-up to the game against Sofapaka has been overshadowed by the news of the exit of Bonface Ambani, who served as the club’s technical director.##NAJAVA_MECA_8519351##Ambani was relieved of his duties last weekend under unclear circumstances, bringing an end to his nearly four-year association with the Enoosaen-based outfit.It remains to be seen how the team will cope with the absence of Ambani, who was reportedly a significant source of motivation for many players, especially the forwards.Mara will also have to do without the services of their head coach, George Midenyo, as he is serving a match ban after being sent off in the previous encounter.New cheaper stadium opens doors for Kenyan teams after completionBesides inching closer to the top team, Mara will also be aiming to get back to winning ways as the team settled for a one-all draw in the previous match, against AFC Leopards. Sofapaka, on the other hand, will be aiming to register their third win of the season and draw close to the top five bracket. The former champions are unbeaten in their last four matches, a run that saw Bato to Ba Mungu rise from the red zone to the top half of the log. A win for Sofapaka will take them three places up on the log.The match is scheduled to kick off at 2pmAnother club that will be eyeing the third win of the season is Ulinzi Stars, who have a date with Bidco United at Kinoru Stadium. Ulinzi head to the game full of confidence following the back-to-back wins over Leopards and Posta Rangers. Where Gor Mahia will host Mashemeji Derby with Nyayo, Kasarani’s unavailabilityBidco will also be pursuing their third win of the season. The Thika-based club beat Bandari 2-0 in their last assignment. Three points will see the eighth-placed soldiers move a place up on the log while Bidco, who are currently ranked tenth, will scale three places high if they grab maximum points.The match is set to kick off at 4pm
