Starting 2pm on Sunday 26 January 2020, City Stars will face off with hosts Vihiga United in a round 22 National Super League (NSL) match.
Stakes are at an ultimate high as NSL leaders City Stars wish to solidify top status in the 19-team log while Vihiga United, sitting third with 36 points, and 13 off the top, will want to cut down the huge deficit in front of their home fans.
In their only visit to Vihiga United in November 2017, City Stars went down 2-0 and its that kind of history the hosts will be banking on for points.
It is at the end of that season that Vihiga United earned promotion – alongside Wazito – to the Kenyan Premiership.
But the City Stars of 2017 and now are worlds apart.
During this season’s first leg tie, Vihiga United ran City Stars uncomfortably close to eke out a respectable 0-0 draw at Hope Centre.
In spite of being visitors, Vihiga United smacked the woodwork twice in that game and left the scene certain that the hosts barely survived their might. They will be keen to bury the near misses then at Mumias.
Ahead of the top-billed clash, City Stars has an enviable record that Vihiga United may want to take note of; they have registered nine away wins this season from ten games. The other one was drawn.
Adding on to games from last season, City Stars is unbeaten in 16 straight away games that started with a 2-1 win over Green Commandoes on 27 April 2019 at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega.
City Stars on their part cannot ignore Vihiga’s solid home record in Mumias.
They have won eight out of ten games only and have only failed to pick all spoils against two sides FC Talanta and Nairobi Stima.
In their season opener on 1st September 2019 Vihiga United, in their first NSL game following relegation from the Premiership, was held to a barren draw by FC Talanta.
Exactly three months later, on 1 December 2019, they lost 2-1 to Nairobi Stima for their only home defeat so far.
In which way will the Sunday duel at Mumias between the teams placed first and third end?
Head to head records; Vihiga United vs Nairobi City Stars
Sun 26/01/29, Vihiga United vs Nairobi City Stars
Fri, 13/09/19, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 0 Vihiga United
Wed, 08/11/17, Vihiga United 2 – 0 Nairobi City Stars
Sun, 21/05/17, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 0 Vihiga United