Well, it will be a game of the unknowns when newly promoted Mara Sugar face off with Nairobi City Stars at the Awendo Green Stadium in Migori County on Saturday 21 September 2024.
Just as was the case against Nzoia Sugar at the start of the 2020-21 season, Mara Sugar and City Stars have never met in any competition.
With no prior match connection, the upcoming match packs up unpredictability. As it is, the little connection between the two is one Timothy Muganda, a centre back, signed by Simba wa Nairobi from Mara at the start of the 2022-23 season.
Watch out, opponents🚨—Timothy Muganda is back and ready to defend with even more fire! 🔥🛡️ After an epic season, he’s geared up to keep the momentum rolling into the new one. Here’s to more solid tackles and standout performances! 💪⚽#simbawanairobi #TimothyMuganda pic.twitter.com/WTOn4emrmA
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) August 23, 2024
Into the match, Mara Sugar are buoyed by their season debut where they blanked seasoned Kakamega Homeboyz 3-0 at the same venue.
The team is returning for a home game after a 1-0 loss in Mombasa against Bandari in matchday two. City Stars on their part head to the game with a 1-1 draw against Bidco United.
Here the full results from Match Week 2.
What was your best game?💭#FKFPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/VeZKAbE2jc
— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) September 16, 2024
Though the Mara Sugar -City Stars tie at Awendo will be all new, City Stars has been at the same venue on eleven occasions between the year 20025 and 2016 for premier league games against another sugar side, Sony.
City Stars first landed in Awendo Stadium for a premier league game on 5 Mar 2005 and were last there on 25th May 2016. In all occasions it was to play the now defunct Sony Sugar FC.
Statistically, in those premier league games previously played at Awendo, City Stars registered two wins, four draws, and five losses.
The two wins were identical 1-0 wins delivered by German coach Oliver Page on 1 Mar 2009 and by Ugandan Paul Nkata on 6 Jun 2014.
Current coach Nicholas Muyoti will be hoping to follow in their foot steps as he seeks City Stars first season win. Muyoti will be up against his counterpart George Midenyo, a former City Stars player and coach, who will also be chasing a win of his own.
Table-wise, Mara sits sixth on the log with three points, and two ahead of eleventh placed Cisty Stars, from two outings.
The table standings as we close off Match Week 2.#FKFPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/OOBFKVRMMu
— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) September 15, 2024
Who wins this one?