NYAYO NATIONAL STADIUM
SUNDAY 22ND AUGUST 2010
14:00HRS
This will be undoubtedly the weekends and probably the season’s biggest match as the current league leaders face off with the defending champions. Ulinzi stars are set to seek a win to consolidate their leadership on the table while Sofapaka will want to go back to where they belong, the top.

To make it even more interesting is the impact of the clash to  the five top teams in chase for the premier league title. A loss for Ulinzi will slow down the pace to the delight of the chasing teams and it may also gift Tusker the leadership of the league that they lost in the beginning of the second leg round of matches.

Ulinzi has conceded the least number of goals(13) while sofapaka has scored the highest number of goals(32) so far this season and it would be interesting to see how the two sides pair up.
The biggest battle will however be fought in the mid field as talent and experience will meet experience and talent from both sides. Sofapaka are expected to go with Osborne Monday, Musa mudde, Humprey Miano/Kelvin Kimani while Ulinzi will most likely field Tom Ogweno, Stephen Ochola and Erick Apul.

Out of the last six games sofapaka has not lost a match and they have collected a total 14 points. Ulinzi on the other hand have lost one match(last week to Gor mahia) and have collected a total 13 points out of their last six matches.

SOFAPAKA FC
Sofapaka will be remembered as having won the league on their first attempt a fete that only Gor-mahia had achieved in the past. The defending champions have faced stiffer competition this season compared to last season when they were in the lead and even won the league with some matches to spare.

Batoto Ba Mungu had a slow start to their season having a poor run in the first leg round of matches. This could be attributed to international club competitions that saw them take part in the African club champions league where they crashed out in the first round and the CECAFA club tournament in which they emerged third. This was their first attempt in both competitions.

The star studded outfit has however come out strongly in the second leg round of matches and is seemingly winning with no much effort. Sofapaka will have their fate in their own hands as they hope to move to the top two in the league for the first time this season. In the run up to the Ulinzi match, Sofapaka has comfortably won against KCB, AFC leopards, Sher Karuturi and Red Berets. A draw against Tusker in their first match of the second leg however casts doubt on their performance against the top five teams and the Ulinzi fixture will be a test of sorts for the champions. But with a lethal striking force composed of John Baraza, Allan Wanga and Bob Mugalia, one could be easily forgiven for presuming them winners before they even play.

ULINZI STARS
The bruised soldiers will definitely come to the match with nothing less than a fighting spirit. Composure will be key to the Nakuru based outfit; to treat the Gor mahia defeat as a slow down to the pace with which they win the title.

The current league leaders who are also the 2005 champions come into the match on a low having lost to a spirited Gor mahia in the mid week clash. Not to be written off though, the Gor mahia fixture is the only one they have lost in the last six outings and their second loss in the entire season. Coach Ben Nyangweso would be sure to address defensive issues that were exposed during the Gor Mahia match if his men are to keep the lethal Sofapaka striking force at bay.

A win for the army men will see them stay top of the league but a loss would see Sofapaka leapfrog them to first or second depending on the out come of the Tusker  vs. mahakama match. Ulinzi has had the best defence in the league so far and rising to the occasion against the leagues most lethal striking force will be key to winning the sofapaka fixture. It will not be forgotten that Ulinzi conceded their first goal of the season in their first leg fixture against Sofapaka in a game marred with controversy leading to the suspension of players and officials by IDAC.

Players to watch
JOHN BARAZA(Sofapaka)
The goal poacher is enjoying another fairytale season after finishing top scorer last season with 15 goals and might go high having scored 11 goals thus far with 10 games to go to the end of the season. At his best John Baraza is currently the coolest finisher in front of goal in the country. With 17 goals for both club and country this year the veteran striker will for sure be a thorn in the flesh for the Ulinzi backline. Not to mention that he will be assisted upfront by the equally lethal Allan Wanga and Bob Mugalia.

OSBORNE MONDAY(sofapaka)
After one and a half years away from the local league the midfield linchpin is back and with a bang. After making his league return against AFC leopards he followed it up with another great performance against K.C.B and another good performance from him on Sunday may see Sofapaka carrying the day.
Possessing good ball control and almost perfect pass the former Tusker and Azam Man might prove to be the most dangerous player for Sofapaka with pin point crosses and ability to shoot from far and a combination of him, Musa Mudde and Humphrey Mieno or Kevin Kimani in the midfield is what Sofapaka will need to win against the highly experienced Ulinzi side.

LAWRENCE OWINO(Ulinzi)
The left winger will bear the weight of the Ulinzi striking force as he takes on the experienced defence composed of Edgar Ochieng, George Owino, Idrissa Rajab and James Situma. Lawrence showed flashes of brilliance in the Wednesday fixture and if Ulinzi are to have a good day on Sunday then he will take part in setting up the party.

ERIC APUL
The young midfielder is enjoying a good partnership in midfield with veteran midfielders Tom Ogweno and Captain Stephen Ocholla this season and he will be swimming in a sea of talent and experience when his team plays Sofapaka. With Sofapaka’s lethal striking force, Ulinzi will be keen to win the game from the midfield and Erick would be more than glad to give his best to help his team win the midfield battle.

PROBABLE starting 11
SOFAPAKA
29. Wilson Obungu, 14.james Situma, 26 George Owino, 5.Edgar Ochieng, 6. Idrissa Rajab 20. Humphrey Mieno, 2.Osborne Monday 9.Bob Mugalia 25.Mussa Mudde.17.Allan Wanga12.John Baraza.

ULINZI
21.Francis Ochieng,4. Kevin Ouma 12.Rechard Chege 8.james Mulinge,2. Geoffrey Kokoyo,6.Eric Apul,10. Ismael   Ibrahim,29.Stephen Ocholla,25. Tom Ogweno,11 Lawrence Owino,14.Anthony Nderitu

The last encounter between this two sides ended in a 1-1 draw, a game that saw Ulinzi concede their first goal of the season under controversial circumstances. In fact there was a melee at the sher stadium  that prompted IDAC’s action leading to suspension of players and respective team officials.