A derby of its own kind takes center stage this Saturday in the Kenya Premier League as Kariobangi Sharks hosts Mathare United in the slum derby.
Mathare United come into this fixture on the back of a healthy run of form that has seen them remain unbeaten so far and are 4th on the log with five points from the first 3 matches. Despite losing head coach Francis Kimanzi who joined the national team Harambee Stars in the same capacity, Mathare United have looked impressive.
The most impressive stat from Mathare is their ability to score goals from all areas of the pitch. So far, the 3 goals scored have been converted by 3 different players in Midfielder Clifford Alwanga, Striker Klinsman Omulunga and defender George Owino.
Kariobangi Sharks, on the other hand, are dangerously sitting in the relegation playoff position with 2 points from their first 3 matches. William Muluhya’s side was thrashed by Kakamega Homeboyz 3-0 in the last match.
Defensively, the team is a shambles and has already let in 5 goals which is the third-highest in the league and worse than Kisumu All-stars who are below them on the table.
Matches between the two sides rarely disappoint with the last encounter being a 5 goal thriller that ended with Karibangi Sharks edging out a 3-2 win at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani last season.
3️⃣ | Three days to the 7th #SlumDerby
↩ | We take you back to the 2nd #SlumDerby where we hit three past @MathareUtd #WeAreSharks pic.twitter.com/msXIZOGzn0
— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) September 25, 2019
Both teams have reported a clean bill of health with But Sharks will be without goalkeeper Bwire Okoth who is on International Duty with Kenya Under 20 team for the CECAFA Championships in Uganda alongside Sydney Lokale, Peter Oudu ann Tom Teka.
Who do you fancy to emerge victorious in this season’s edition of the slum derby? Share your thoughts in the comments section below…