Two of them, KCB and champions Sofapaka, go head-to-head at the National Stadium, Nairobi on Saturday.

Despite Sofapaka’s now much revered reputation as a top-flight team, they will be aware of KCB’s two-victory-start-of-season feat that has everyone admiring. It will thus be by no means an easy ride for Sofapaka who opened with a 2-0 win against Sher Karuturi in Naivasha but were absent in round two because of their engagement in the Africa Champions League.

Sofapaka’s debut in continental football ended with a 2-0 loss to Ismailia of Egypt in the second leg of the first round after drawing 0-0 in Nairobi.

Back to domestic action, the Kenyan champions may be a lot wiser but they will be wary of the KPL experience that Kenya Commercial Bank have gained in the past weeks.

The star-studded Sofapaka ought to have listened to the sound of names that have been keeping KCB in the limelight. New boy Oscar Livondo looks destined to become the bankers’ key goal-getter, his last big act being the strike that gave them the 1-0 win over a plucky Mahakama last weekend. KCB had earlier ambushed AFC Leopards with a 2-0 defeat achieved in the last quarter of their season-opener.

The KCB defence also looks confident despite its complete-overhaul-look from last season. Survivor Joseph Apindi has been joined by Eugene Asike, Robert Syongo and Silas Chege, playing behind a good midfield featuring skipper Michael Oyando, Geoffrey Maina and the very industrious Daniel Waweru.

When Tony Onguru comes in as second half substitute and shows much experience brought in from last season, KCB underlines its bench strength. Sofapaka cannot say they were not warned.

Ulinzi Stars search for their third straight with a visit, on Saturday, to the City Stadium to take on Posta Rangers, the Premiership debutants who have already soaked in two losses, the first a 4-1 whacking by Leopards on the opening day and the second a 1-0 loss to Western Stima in Kakamega.

Unless Ulinzi go in too over-confidently, they should comfortably beat Posta Rangers whose teething problems are about forging a cohession between their recently hired experienced players and those who belonged to the side in their Nationwide (lower) League before this year’s promotion.

Posta men who have had a good taste of top-flight include some with international experience, notably veteran Pascal Ochieng’ Okul (ex-KCB), Edward Kauka and Justus Anene (ex-Tusker), Charles Okwemba and Roy Waswa Lukungu (ex-AFC Leopards) and Hashim Mukwana (ex-Sofapaka); not forgetting , of course, old warrior George “Jojo” Waweru, the ex-Harambee Stars defender who was on in Posta’s opening match against Tusker.

Coach Peter Ambetsa still has to find a formula to blend this experience with his lesser known names that have shown some promise. These include Edwin Mwaura, Brian Onyango and Oscar Olwith.

On Sunday, top-of-the-bill match involves AFC Leopards and Thika United at the National Stadium, even though the other unblemished team [and current leaders] Tusker, will be making a trip to Naivasha for the tricky “live” televised match with Sher Karuturi. Leopards are always a big draw while Thika have an established “big boy” image in the league hence the expectation for a thrilling clash. However, both will want to make up for poor performance so far.

After Leopards were stunned 2-0 by KCB in their first match, a campaign in the CAF (African Football Confederation) Cup ended in a 3-0 hiding by Banks of Ethiopia in the second leg of the first round. Despite their earlier 3-1 lead established in Nairobi, Leopards, just like in the KCB match were exposed by inadequate defensive abilities and crashed out of the CAF Cup.

It is mystifying, therefore that Leopards goalie, Lawrence Webo, culprit of horror goal-keeping so far, especially in Ethiopia, should be in the national team squad.

Thika’s claim that they are again a title chasing team this season could suffer a serious blow were they to lose to Leopards. Thika have names that everyone thinks should be coming up with the goods, week-in-week-out. Front men Kepha Aswani, Kenneth Wendo and Haji Mwachoki in particular must start stepping up to the plate for their side to preserve their reputation.

SuperSport transmits the Red Berets v Western Stima match from Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Saturday before their OB (outside broadcasting) van drives down to Naivasha for the Sunday Sher Karuturi v Tusker clash.

Red Berets slumped to the seemingly heavy 3-1 defeat by Tusker last week but the Kenya Police [General Service Unit] side honestly went down fighting.

Berets have real hopes for better results if the way forwards John Ringo, Gabriel Nduro and Collins Shivatse and offensive defender Essau Wasike played was to be maintained.

Coach Caleb Okuku has indeed a team that should look ahead to better times but he must insist they rise to even a bigger occasion against the never overawed Western Stima.

In the western country, there is the sugar belts derby between Chemelil and visiting Sony at Chemelil on Saturday and its usual unpredictability will keep the supporters on edge.

On Sunday Mahakama and Nairobi City Stars meets at the City Stadium. On paper this looks like a very evenly matched contest. It depends on who will raise their game from the last outing.

On that account, Mahakama may have the edge because they really did look promising in their 1-0 loss to KCB, forwards John Kio and Benjamin Shaka being most outstanding and midfield men Tom Juma and Collins Omondi showing a lot of imagination and dedication for Mahakama .

But on the other hand City Stars look quite cohessive, their very familiar looking side, featuring Arthur Museve and Duncan Mosoti in defence, Francis Thairu, Levy Mwaka and youngsters, David King’atua and David Gateri in front, quite capable of another strong performance this season.

WEEKEND FIXTURES:

Saturday:-

3pm: Posta Rangers v Ulinzi Stars (City Stadium)

3pm: Chemelil Sugar v Sony Sugar (Chemelil)

3pm: KCB v Sofapaka (National Stadium)

3pm: Red Berets v Western Stima (Afraha Stadium, Nakuru) “live” on SuperSport

Sunday:-

3pm: Sher Karuturi v Tusker (Sher, Naivasha) “live” on SuperSport

3pm: Mahakama v Nairobi City Stars (City Stadium)

3pm: AFC Leopards v Thika United (National Stadium)