The pick of the round matches is certainly the showdown in Nakuru between Tusker and Gor Mahia. Meanwhile Zoo Kericho will still be chasing for their first – their maiden win at this level as Mathare United look to rebound against tough Ulinzi Stars. kpl.co.ke catches up with some of the pre-match talk.

Tusker coach George Nsimbe: “We have to handle Gor Mahia like the table leaders that they are. That doesn’t mean that we fear them, it means that we handle them with a little more seriousness. My players are motivated and eager for the match. Everybody has been training very hard for the game because they know they will be facing a very strong team with massive support. This is not new to the boys.” TUSKER ARE AWAY TO GOR MAHIA AT AFRAHA STADIUM ON SATURDAY

Nzoia Sugar coach Bernard Mwalala: “Many people may not understand how Zoo Kericho operate but I do because I have played against them several times in the NSL (National Super League). Right now they are like wounded lions because of their poor run and it is the worst time to face them. We cannot underrate them. They are known to record long spells of victory after such bad starts and so we shall fight very hard for the three points, just like we have done against the other more established teams. We want the three points.” NZOIA SUGAR HOST ZOO KERICHO AT SUDI STADIUM ON SATURDAY

Nakumatt striker Boniface Akenga: “Even though we lost last weekend, we haven’t lost the spirit. Even the game we lost against Kariobangi Sharks, everybody played well and we identified our mistakes in marking. We have trained on that all week, drilled and drilled, and I think we shall come back strongly this weekend.” NAKUMATT WELCOME WESTERN STIMA AT KENYATTA STADIUM ON SATURDAY

Posta Rangers coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omolo: “I think we are treading dangerously because we have failed to score more than one goal in each of the three games we have won. It means that while our defense is working very well, there is work to be done with our strikers. I want to see the forwards score more goals starting with this match against Kariobangi Sharks. Obviously, you will see an attack-minded Posta on the day.” POSTA RANGERS ENTERTAIN KARIOBANGI SHARKS ON SATURDAY

Chemelil Sugar coach Juma Abdalla: “We play Bandari in our next match and as you may well know they score an average of two goals in every match, at least in as far as this season is concern. That means that we have to be a lot more defensive and cautious even though we will be at home. But make no mistake. We are going for a win.” CHEMELIL SUGAR WELCOME BANDARI IN WESTERN ON FRIDAY

Kakamega Homeboyz coach Mike Mururi: “Sofapaka are a tricky side. They are getting wonderful results and they are definitely not the side that we played last year. In fact, even last year alone we played two different Sofapaka teams in the first and second leg so it is a tricky match. We have good players, people like (Wycliffe) Ochomo who has good Premier League experience and knows the business of scoring goals. I think that is also the strength of the current Sofapaka team. They have players who have been in the Kenyan Premier League for a long time and know what they are doing. It will be a good contest and we are looking forward to it.” KAKAMEGA HOMEBOYZ ARE ON THE ROAD AGAINST SOFAPAKA IN MACHAKOS ON SATURDAY

Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi: “There is no pressure to be felt just because we are facing Ulinzi Stars. Yes, they may be a big club, but we have lost twice already, to teams that people don’t consider to be “big”. If my players refuse to step up their performance in the game, then all opponents will be better than us. What is needed is for my players to avoid making silly mistakes and maintain their concentration. That way, we shall win matches. There are no longer any small teams in modern football.” MATHARE UNITED ARE AWAY TO ULINZI STARS IN NAKURU ON SUNDAY