- Mara Sugar vs AFC Leopards SportPesa League clash is set for Saturday, November 8.
- The encounter will take place at Awendo Green Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 1:00 PM EAT.
- Ingwe will be looking to extend their unbeaten run this season, while the Sugar Millers aim to secure their second win of the campaign.
AFC Leopards will be on a mission to continue unsheathing their sharp claws as they aim to extend their unbeaten run in the SportPesa League when they visit Mara Sugar on Saturday at the Awendo Green Stadium, with kick-off set for 1.00 PM EAT.
Ingwe have been nothing short of sensational in this new era of the Kenya Premier League and have already established themselves as title contenders with an impressive six-match unbeaten streak, comprising three draws and three wins.
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Mara Sugar vs AFC Leopards preview
They head into this fixture after securing back-to-back victories, the most recent a 2-0 win over Mathare United last weekend at Nyayo National Stadium.
Goals from Vincent Mahiga and James Kinyanjui- his first for the club, secured the maximum points, propelling Leopards to third place on the table with 12 points.
They now sit one point behind second-placed Gor Mahia and two adrift of leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.
Therefore, Ingwe, who are riding a wave of 14 matches unbeaten dating back to last season, will be aiming to continue this formidable form as they charge towards their first trophy in over two decades.
However, securing three points will not be straightforward. They face a formidable and energetic Mara Sugar side, who are also on a four-match unbeaten streak.
Despite this, they have clinched only one victory this season, alongside three draws, with a single loss placing them 11th on the log with seven points.
They enter this contest following a goalless draw with Bandari FC last weekend at the same venue.
Therefore, Edward Manoah will be leading his squad not only to maintain their unbeaten run but also to secure their second win of the campaign.
Mara Sugar vs AFC Leopards Team News
Neither side has announced any major absentees.
The Sugar Millers will continue to rely on David Owino to maintain his scoring form, while Jimmy Owili has also been influential in midfield.
They will hope to lean on their defence, marshaled by the impressive Robinson Musungu, who has been a pillar in the backline.
For Ingwe, Coach Fred Ambani lavished praise on new winger James Kinyanjui, who has been a revelation, contributing to their success this season and scoring his first goal in the last match.
“Kinyanjui is a very crucial player for the team. Acquiring a player of his caliber is a blessing; many may not see that, but he has been instrumental for us, and I pray he continues with the same energy,” Ambani stated after the Mathare United win.
While explaining his long-term vision, Ambani stated that he still believes in progress and patience.
“I believe in progress and also in being patient to yield good results because those are the key factors. Combined with hard work, they will pay off, and that is what we have been doing in training. We are now starting to see the fruits,” he added.
Mara Sugar vs AFC Leopards head-to-head and key betting facts
This is a match where AFC Leopards will be seeking revenge for what transpired last season when the two teams met in the FKF Cup.
The match was marred by irregularities that saw Ingwe knocked out in the round of 32 after the FKF upheld Mara’s appeal to progress.
The controversial encounter saw Ingwe awarded a penalty in the 89th minute with the scores at 0-0, which the referee then controversially overturned.
This decision outraged the Ingwe fans, leading to the match being called off and ultimately resulting in their elimination.
In the SportPesa League, the two sides have met twice since Mara’s promotion last season, with Ingwe claiming four points from a possible six: a draw in the first leg followed by a victory in the return fixture.
In these encounters, both teams have found the net, with the total goals numbering at least three.
This season, Ingwe have scored in every match except one- a goalless draw with Bandari FC.
In contrast, Mara has struggled with their finishing in the final third for most of the campaign.
