NSL: High-flying Mara Sugar eye Mathare scalp

Mara Sugar FC head coach Francis Xavior says he is intrigued by the tricky challenge that Mathare United presents as they tussle at the Utalii grounds on Saturday.

The National Super League leaders will be looking to cement their position at the top of the table with a win against the former KPL outfit, a match the Mara Sugar boss says presents a different kind of challenge.

"We take Mathare as an experienced side, having dropped from the FKF Kenyan Premier League last season. So far, they've played well apart from their last match which they lost.

“But we keep our focus, we keep working the way we do which is critical in this encounter," asserted Xavious.

Xavior however says he does not intend to give the Slum Boys special attention as they lock horns in the sixth-round fixture.

"We want to stick to our guns, stick to what we do so that we don't lose direction, and give special attention to any other team but ourselves.

If need be, we can change the system with the kind of opponent and the behavior such that if whatever we are doing is not working then we can always adjust and come up with something good."

The Narok County-based side will be looking to build on their 5-0 thrashing against Vihiga Bullets last weekend as Mathare looks to bounce from their 3-1 sinking at the hands of Coast Stima.

High scoring-Mara are top of the table on goal difference, tied on 13 points with Naivas FC who take on Gusii FC on Sunday at the Cardinal Otunga High School Grounds.

Mathare who sit on 7 points are 11th on the log with a game in hand having had their round four fixture against Nairobi United postponed.