Kenyatta under siege as Ushuru sweat for KPL survival

Ushuru FC are sweating on their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) status as they head for their final game of the season against Posta Rangers needing victory or a draw to guarantee their safety.

The Taxmen who have established themselves in the top flight after earning promotion in 2013 as a stubborn mid-table team are in 14th on 26 points, three clear of Sofapaka but boasting an inferior goal difference should they finish level on Saturday.

Former AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars keeper Ken Kenyatta who masterminded their promotion to the KPL has opted to remain guarded ahead of the final day clash, declining to offer his take on their predicament.

However, backed by a strong budget from sponsors Kenya Revenue Authority and experienced side, one of the great mysteries of the 2016 KPL has been why Ushuru have flirted with relegation.

The Taxmen have won only five of their 29 games this season, drawing 11 and losing 13, scoring a paltry 23 goals and conceding 39, a joint 2016 KPL high with Sofapaka that is even more than condemned Nairobi City Stars who have let in 37.

It is this abysmal defensive record that part explains the reason why Ushuru have struggled this season, which goes against Kenyatta’s reputation of playing obdurate sides that are tough to beat.

The coach known for his hardline stance with his players and attention to a counter-attacking football has perhaps lost his mojo having led Ushuru to the heights of the Top 8 last season (37 points) and after a 12th (33) finish on their debut campaign in 2014.

Kenyatta was in charge of Ushuru (formerly KRA FC) when they ended their three-year chase for promotion to the KPL from the then Nationwide League second tier in 2013 when he led the club to win 15, draw five and lose only twice.

Having hung his groves in 2000 after a long-term injury, the former keeper was once again on the limelight but after an underwhelming season, whether they survive the axe or not, his future at the club is uncertain.

“I know we can do better than the way we are doing right now and we have to go and review our performance, evaluate ourselves and rectify where we went wrong. But we have to get good results in the four matches remaining,” Kenyatta was quoted by Goal.com after they fell 2-1 to visiting Chemelil Sugar with four games of the season left.

Since then, Ushuru have not won in five, including their latest 0-0 stalemate with City Stars that saw their chance to guarantee their KPL status ahead of the international break evaporate.

Mathare United did them a favour by rescuing a point in added time during their thrilling 2-2 draw with Sofapaka that gave Ushuru the easier assignment of forcing Rangers to a share of the spoils on final day as opposed to going for an outright victory.

Nevertheless, Kenyatta cannot afford to hang on to tight margins especially when playing against another former international, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno who has experienced final day heartbreak.

Otieno was on the verge of winning the title with Gor Mahia, the side he captained to the 1995-league glory in 2010 when Ulinzi Stars beat him to the crown on the final day of that season.

Report by Alex Kinyua

USHURU LAST FIVE KPL RESULTS

Ushuru            0 – 0    City Stars

Ushuru            0 – 0    Muhoroni Youth

Thika United    1 – 0    Ushuru

Ushuru            1 – 2    Chemelil Sugar

Homeboyz      1 – 1    Ushuru