Mathare, Leopards in must-win clash

Mathare United and AFC Leopards will both be desperate for a victory when they meet in a Kenyan Premier League clash at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday, 23 February 2019, kick-off at 15h15 CAT.

Mathare come into the game well placed on the log, with a haul of 26 points from 14 matches (which sees them just two points off the top), but their recent form has been wretched.

Home of the Slum Boys have gone five matches without a win, with their latest result a disappointing goalless stalemate away to Zoo Kericho last weekend. It was at least an improvement on the 4-1 hammering they suffered at home against Sofapaka a few days prior, but coach Francis Kimanzi will still be frustrated at a lack of fight from his charges.

Yet if United thought they had it tough, their current position is only a dream for fallen giants Leopards. The Nairobi-based club find themselves in 17th place (second from bottom) and under real threat of relegation unless they can turn their form around.

A haul of just 10 points from 13 matches is simply not good enough from Ingwe, who slumped to a sixth successive defeat across all competitions when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Ulinzi Stars last Saturday.

Casa Mbungo has replaced Marko Vasiljevic as head coach of the club, but their struggles continue. They will hope the challenge of taking on a title hopeful in their own back yard is enough to spark them into life and begin a slow climb back up the standings.

In head-to-head stats, Mathare and Leopards have met in 20 matches across all competitions since 2009. Ingwe have claimed six wins compared to five for the Slum Boys, while nine games have been drawn.

The teams’ most recent meeting saw Leopards claim a 2-1 home win in a Kenyan Premier League clash in August 2018. Ingwe are on an eight-game unbeaten run against United, though seven of those results were draws.

Mathare United v Leopards – Head-to-head, all competitions

Matches played 20

United wins 5

Leopards wins 6

Draws 9

Last five results (Premier League only, most recent first)

Mathare | D | L | D | L | D
Leopards | L | L | L | L | L