By Peter Mwaura
Clash of the titans: Title chasing Jericho takes on champions Kawangware in Super 8
Title-chasing Jericho All-Stars face a stern test of their credentials when they face Super 8 Premier League defending champions Kawangware United on Saturday 18 August at the Riruta BP Stadium.
Jericho lead the table standings with 41 points, one point ahead of Makadara Junior League SA,Kawangware united are placed third on the log with36 ,one point ahead of fourth placed TUK .With nine rounds of matches to go, there is no clear favorite to sweep the title with all the Top four teams separated by a six point margin.
Leaders Jericho who scrapped to a narrow 1-0 victory in their last game dethroned East Conference rivals Makadara Junior from the top spot where they are currently perched with a razor-thin one-point lead.
The James Nandwa charges in for a tough test in holders United who forced a share of spoils in their first leg tie which ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Unbeaten in five-second leg matches, Jericho will be keen to preserve their elegant form as they seek their first Super 8 League diadem which has eluded them by a whisker in the last two seasons.
Third-place Kawangware will be eager to get their defense of the crown up and running after crumbling to their second defeat in a row. Kawangware coach Francis Thairu said their focus is recovering from the defeats.
“We know Jericho very well, they are a good side, we’ll try to deny them the opportunity to build up their play as we aim to recover from two losses.” said the Kawangware coach ahead of the crunch fixture.
More Fixtures…
Meanwhile, tempers are expected to flair when 8th placed Shauri Moyo Sportiff invites second-place Makadara Junior League at Makongeni grounds from 1 PM. Makadara escaped with a narrow 4-3 victory in the reverse fixture and the hosts have vowed to return the favor. Bottom-placed Kayole Asubuhi have a date with MASA seeking to navigate their way out of the relegation quicksand.
Relegation candidates RYSA and Metro Sports both on 20 points will be away to NYSA and Zamalek respectively hoping to add lifeline into their survival chances.
FULL SUPER 8 PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 21 FIXTURES
TUK VS Rongai All Stars (Kabete Campus-3PM)
Team Umeme VS Meltah Kabiria (Ziwani grounds-3PM)
NYSA VS RYSA (Ngong Posta-3PM)
Shauri Moyo Sportiff VS Makadara Junior League SA (Makongeni grounds-1PM)
Zamalek VS Metro Sports (Drive Inn-3PM)
Kawangware United VS Jericho All Stars (Riruta BP Stadium)
MASA VS Kayole Asubuhi (Makongeni grounds-3PM)
Leads United VS Shauri Moyo Blue Stars (Riruta BP Stadium-1PM)