Tusker to Gor Mahia: Catch us if you can

Since the turn of the decade, only Tusker and Gor Mahia have had their names engraved on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) trophy and with seven rounds to go, 2016 promises to be no different.

The Brewers opened a seven-point advantage at the summit on 44 points after edging battling Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 on Saturday as they seek to reclaim the crown they last won in 2012 before K’Ogalo embarked on their uninterrupted title run for the next three seasons.

Before then, Tusker had succeeded 2010 winners, Ulinzi Stars and held on to the trophy for the next two and as far as this season is concerned, there seem to be no other side looking capable of ending the duopoly.

Should Paul Nkata’s side slip-up, the next in line to capture the title are second placed K’Ogalo who would be in pole position to retain their title for the unprecedented fourth season in succession were it not for their second-leg slump.

Marcelo ‘Ze Maria’ Ferreira and his charges were quiet this weekend, meaning they have a game in hand on Tusker but remain second on goal difference ahead of Mathare United who dispatched Ushuru FC 3-1 with both tied on 37.

Incidentally, Tusker and K’Ogalo are scheduled to play on the last weekend of action on November 19 in what could be a title shoot-out or a coronation ceremony if the Brewers do not stutter in the run in.

With games running out, Gor have been set the task of responding to Tusker with their next clash coming after the international break when they take on rising Chemelil (36) who broke into the top four after eclipsing Sony 1-0 in the ‘Sugar Derby’.

-Screeching halt-

At the bottom, 2009 champions, Sofapaka FC’s (15) recovery was brought to a screeching halt when they lost 1-0 to visiting Posta Rangers with former Gor striker Timothy Otieno on target to allow basement side, Nairobi City Stars to move to within a point after they held AFC Leopards (29) to a barren draw.

Leopards should have gone to the break leading 1-0 had Andrew Tololwa got it right from the spot, but City Star keeper, Ronny Kagunzi’s heroics denied him despite sending the ball to the far right post.

“There is a problem with our finishing, it’s bad when you create eight chances and you don’t score.

“The penalty we missed should have made the difference, it is not a question of which side you don’t beat but the unutilized chances,” Ingwe’s Belgian coach, Ivan Minnaert, rued after the drub encounter at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium that saw his side remain 10th.

His opposite number, Richard Tamale, who was brought to fill the shoes of John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla in June, believes his side will pull one more great escape act with the team’s owners shopping around for a buyer.

“I’m disappointed because in our practise, there is much to show but in our matches we are not serious. We will however fight to the end; we can’t talk about relegation for now,” he stressed.

The biggest beneficiaries of the turn of results were Ushuru (22) whose seven point cushion from the drop zone was maintained despite their Mathare hammering on Saturday that gave Sofapaka and City Stars a window to reel them into the mire.

In Kisumu, Western Stima (34) turned on their neighbours Muhoroni Youth (32) and sent them home with a 3-0 hiding with Fredrick Nyarombo, Kenneth Muguna and Francis Ocholla on target.

Stima are in fifth with Muhoroni ninth in a squeezed mid table with a thrilling battle to book places in next season’s KPL Top 8 knock-out tournament in the cards.

RESULTS 

SATURDAY

Chemelil Sugar 1 – 0 Sony Sugar

Mathare United 3 – 1 Ushuru FC

SUNDAY

Tusker FC 1 – 0 Kakamega Homeboyz

Sofapaka 0 – 1 Posta Rangers

Western Stima 3 – 0 Muhoroni Youth FC

AFC Leopards 0 – 0 Nairobi City Stars

STANDINGS