Ulinzi Stars will host Gor Mahia at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon in a Sportpesa League Round 24 fixture, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30pm EAT.
While the hosts are fighting a desperate battle to escape the relegation zone, the visitors are looking to exploit a golden opportunity to effectively seal the title race.
For the hosts, Ulinzi Stars occupy 17th position with 19 points from 23 matches. The Soldiers enter this tie in a state of crisis, winless in their last five outings.
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Gor Mahia out to extend their SportPesa League lead against Ulinzi Stars
Gor Mahia, the runaway league leaders with 50 points, arrive in Lang’ata with a massive point to prove. Despite their dominance in the league, they enter this tie wounded following a shock exit from the FKF Cup at the hands of BB Bread.
However, following AFC Leopards’ 4-1 defeat on Saturday by Mathare United, K’Ogalo has the chance to extend their lead at the top to double digits opening a ten point gap.
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Speaking ahead of the match, Gor Mahia assistant coach Bismark Kobi stated that as much as the team is still healing the wounds of being eliminated in the Cup, they have to forget and focus on other fixtures.
“Going into this game we have to stay focused. We have won some difficult matches already this season. We need to forget what has happened and instead look for the opportunity to respond for our supporters. We are looking forward to Sunday because we want to respond very well.”
He added that the players had already taken responsibility for the result and that the team had now shifted its full attention to the upcoming league fixture.
“The players have accepted that they disappointed us. Now we have moved on from that disappointment and the focus is on the Sunday game against Ulinzi. It is going to be a very tough match and we need to prepare very well.”
Head-to-Head and Form
Historically, Gor Mahia has held the upper hand in the Sirkal Derby with Ulinzi Stars struggling to find a breakthrough against the record champions. In their last five meetings, Ulinzi has failed to record a single victory, with Gor Mahia claiming three wins and two draws.
Recent Form:
- Ulinzi Stars: L-D-L-D-L (2 points from last 15)
- Gor Mahia: D-W-W-W-W (13 points from last 15)
Victory for Gor Mahia will move them to 53 points, widening the gap at the top to 10 points over AFC Leopards.A shock win for Ulinzi Stars could see them climb out of the automatic relegation spots, potentially leapfrogging Bidco United,APS Bomet and Kariobangi Sharks.
In other matches KCB will host Murang’a Seal at the Nyayo National Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 1500 Hrs.
KCB hope to return to winning ways after stumbling last time out to a draw against Nairobi United while Murang’a Seal want to make it two wins in a row.
Tusker will complete Sunday matches when they welcome Kakamega Homeboyz in Kirinyaga at the Wang’uru stadium.
Under Frenchman Julien Mette, the Brewers seek to record three consecutive league wins for the first time time this season while Homeboyz will be looking to maintain their impressive form of six consecutive matches without defeat.