Weekend round up

Courtesy of The Daily Nation Spanking new Kenyan Premier League leaders Tusker will be looking to maintain their recent shining form when they face fourth-placed Western Stima at Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday. Third-placed Thika United eye the top spot but face a tricky outing against Chemelil Sugar in Chemelil on Saturday. Recently deposed table leaders Sofapaka confront wounded defending champions Mathare United in an attractive fixture at Coca-Cola Stadium on Sunday. And improving Gor Mahia are up to a stern test against home side Sony Sugar at the difficult Awendo venue on Sunday. But the tie of the weekend will be on-form team of the moment, Tusker, against surprise early season pace setters Western Stima. Slow starting brewers lapped up four wins in a row, a notice of intent to reclaim the title. "This is a good team and it has picked up quite well. We just want to maintain our momentum and see how the league goes," Tusker coach James Nandwa said. The brewers will be without influential midfielder Fred Ajwang, on suspension after picking three yellow cards, and Edwin Mukenya, who is down with malaria. But they welcome back international Joseph Njoroge in the forward line to join productive Nigerian striker Joseph Emeka, who has five strikes thus far, and Kenya trialist Augustine Etemesi. Western Stima, who just survived relegations last season, have gone two matches without a win but their early season form makes them dangerous. Coach Fred Serenge will draw confidence from their unbeaten home record but should be wary of Tusker, who have won away twice. Thika United are without their lead striker Stephen Waruru, who has joined the Armed Forces, but can look to Haji Mwachoki and George Maina against Chemelil Sugar. Humiliation Mathare will want to forget their 3-1 humiliation at the hands of Gor a week ago with a win against highflying newcomers Sofapaka. Mathare have struggled to find the form that made them the most feared team last season reflected in their won four, drawn three, lost four record. But even as they struggled to adapt to life without last season's top scorer Francis Ouma, the champs were dealt another blow last month when midfield mainstay Austin Makacha left for Swedish second division's IK Sirius. Sofapaka, intent on regaining their league lead, can look to the exciting Congolese teenager Patrick Kagogo for inspiration. The Standard carries these stories . Pressure is on Mathare Club versus country rows City Stars striker Odari back to face KPL in today's KPL action   Interest in Mariga from Valencia