Sammy Kitula
4 August 2011
It could have been a championship match of epic proportions, but instead, Friday’s Rangers versus AFC Leopards Kenyan Premier League under the Nyayo National Stadium floodlights has been toned down significantly.
What with the once high-flying Rangers managing a solitary win in their last five league outings, and capped with a failure to capitalise on a number of opportunities presented their way. Still, David Ouma and his men will want to end the season on a positive note.
And that could be winning their first league title, only to prove to the rest of the league that they’re on the same level as Ulinzi Stars, Gor Mahia or even Tusker FC.
Friday’s 7pm kick-off also presents Rangers with the opportunity to spoil Tusker’s plans at a league title, something that at this stage of the season Ouma’s men will be delighted to play a part in.
Victory over “Ingwe” will see Rangers top the log, yet again, with a narrow two-point lead over the brewers on 36, who settled for a barren draw with Gor Mahia on Wednesday night.
Surely, there would be nothing more that Leopards’ head coach, Jan Koops, would like right now, than spoiling Rangers’ chance of overhauling Tusker at the helm, while at the same time breathing a sigh of respite going by his side’s recent poor form. “We know that this will be a tough match for us.
“Leopards have always been a stubborn opponent, but we will give it our best shot and go back at the top of the table,” said Ouma. Rangers have not been great on the road in the second leg, and this is a prime opportunity for the Leopards to pounce on their weakened opponents.
Ingwe will also ride on the fact that they have never lost to Rangers in their previous three meetings; drawing 1-1 in their first encounter, then went on to win 2-1 and 3-1 in their league fixtures.
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