Testing feline fury

By Gilbert Wandera

A fixture pitting Mathare United and AFC Leopards on any day is often peppered with powder keg and spice with pre-match banter.

It is also that time when Mathare United chairman Bob Munro takes leave from the VIP dais to jostle with swallows for a bird’s eye view from the highest point of the terraces if only to escape the venom spewed by the unforgiving Leopards fans. Then, it takes a controversial call by a referee, especially against Leopards, to set off the firecrackers!

It is Ingwe fans’ considered view that Mathare United’s prosperity is at the expense of their struggling feline.

And, a controversial e-mail from Kenyan Premier League’s CEO Jack Oguda, a former Mathare United striker and team manager, to Munro alluding to a final nail on Leopards coffin has only served to stoke fires ahead of today’s clash at Coca Cola Stadium. One can feel the tension, which should further elevate the stakes this afternoon.

Leopards chairman Alex Ole Magelo made a scathing attack on KPL on Tuesday accusing the company of favouring their opponents. Magelo was irked by KPL’s initial decision to switch the match to the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani.

KPL backed off, round one victory for Leopards if you like and the former giants seek to finish off the job with a second win of the season.

Both teams go into today’s match buoyed by positive results last weekend. Leopards registered their first win of the season after upsetting Sony Sugar 1-0 away and will want to keep up the momentum.

Mathare on other hand came back from a goal down to beat Western Stima 2-1 in a dramatic encounter last weekend. The two results set the stage for a potentially explosive tie that could go either way. Mathare are very strong in mid-field where the fast running Joseph Nyagah has been a thorn with great deliveries upfront. Nyagah should combine well with Paul Ambembo in search of the much-needed goals. Prolific goal scorer Sebastian Muchera is Leopards most lethal player looks set to get the goods after downing Sony at Awendo. Muchera scored Leopard’s only goal last weekend. Leopards will however be without veteran defender Charles Oduor who is injured. Tomorrow, leaders Sofapaka take on Nairobi City Stars at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

 

 

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