Pain as KPL officially relegates Sony

Kenya Premier League (KPL) has confirmed the expulsion of top flight club Sony Sugar from the league, ending the club’s topflight status kept since 1993.

The unfortunate turn of events is a culmination of long struggle by the Awendo based side, whose financial woes started when the struggling Sony Sugar Company halted their monetary support.

Their woes were further compounded by the exit of KPL sponsors SportPesa, who closed down their shops in Kenya owing to what their management explained to be unbearable taxing policies.

The last stroke to Sony’s relegation however came on Wednesday when they failed to honour an a way match to Zoo Kericho, arriving to the playing venue way late after kickoff time.

AFC Leopards ponder their next course of action after their opponents, Sony Sugar failed to turn up for Saturday’s game at the Awendo Green Stadium. PHOTO/Stafford Ondego/Sportpicha/Citizen

“Match Number 090 between Zoo FC and Sony Sugar FC which was scheduled to be played on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at the Kericho Green Stadium, kick off 3:00 pm, it was noted that the away club, Sony Sugar FC, failed to honour the match.

“That being the third time this season that Sony Sugar FC has failed to honour a match, per the KPL policy on failure or refusal to honour matches, and also per articles 4.1.12 and 4.1.13 of the 2019 FKF Rules and Regulations, Sony Sugar FC have been expelled from the Kenyan Premier League and all its results have been nullified. The remaining league fixtures involving the club have also been cancelled,” a KPL communiqué to newsrooms read.

Initially, Sony sugar missed their home fixture in Awendo against AFC Leopards on October 5, before skipping their away fixture against Tusker last month.

Consequently, KCB, Bandari, Ulinzi Stars, Leopards, Tusker, Wazito, Mathare United, Zoo and Kisumu All Stars, have lost their points that they had garnered from Sony’s matches.

Almost all players left the club before the beginning of the 2019/20 season, including head coach Patrick Odhiambo who is now assistant coach at Gor Mahia.

The club would kickoff their season preparations only a week to the campaign, with most of the players signed to cover the mass exits arriving late.

Another sugar-belt club Chemelil Sugar has endured difficult financial times too, so far missing two matches.