This season’s title race seems headed down to the wire after table leaders Kenya Police FC, second-placed Tusker FC, and third-placed and champions Gor Mahia suffered major setbacks after losing their respective matches played on Wednesday, May 14th, and on Thursday, May 15th.
On Wednesday, the law enforcers failed to break down a resilient Kakamega Homeboyz side as they went down 2-1, while the Brewers suffered a shock 2-0 defeat against FC Talanta.
On Thursday, it was Gor Mahia’s chance to close the gap, but they could not do so after losing 2-1 against Nairobi City Stars at Dandora Stadium. Last season, K’Ogalo wrapped up the title, which was their 21st in the league’s history, with four matches to spare.
However, it seems like this season, the winner will be crowned at the end of the campaign.
Needing three points to stretch their lead at the summit, Police failed to do so, after a first-half penalty converted by Moses Shummah and a second-half strike from Glen Otunga handed Homeboyz the victory. Mohammed Bajaber scored the Police’s only goal, but it was not enough to salvage anything from the game.
For Tusker, they found it tough against relegation-threatened Talanta. It was league’s top scorer with 16 goals, Emannuel Osoro, who orchestrated Tusker’s downfall with a well-taken brace, the first from the penalty spot. However, Tusker had the chance to come into the game, but they squandered a penalty.
Meanwhile, despite Gor Mahia knowing that Police and Tusker had lost their respective matches, they could not bag maximum points from their game against Nairobi City Stars as goals from Hansel Ochieng and Vincent Owino, who converted from the penalty spot, handed them their seventh defeat of the campaign.
K’Ogalo managed to pull a goal back in the 10th minute courtesy of Benson Omalla, but it was Simba wa Nairobi, who went on to win the game and avenge their 1-0 defeat from the first round.
In Kisii, fourth-placed Shabana continued to fly in front of their thousands of fans after edging out Bidco United 2-1 at the fully packed Gusii Stadium. Austin Odongo found the back of the net in the 17th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 lead before Clinton Asiago forced a 1-1 parity before half time with an equaliser in the 38th minute.
Brian Michira’s 58th-minute penalty proved to be the winner for the Glamour Boys, who remained fourth with 52 points, six points behind leaders Police. With the three sides losing their fixtures, it means even Shabana are firmly in the title race.
So far, Police are sitting at the top of the 18-team league table with 58 points, followed by Tusker on 55 points, while Gor Mahia are third with 53 points. Below K’Ogalo in fourth place is Shabana, who have 52 points.
What did the coaches say?
Tusker coach Charles Okere remained adamant they will not drop the guard despite their shock defeat, insisting they will fight for the title until the final day of the season.
“We lost the game, but we did everything to get something, we had a penalty but we were not able to score, it was a game that should have gone either way, we had several chances to score but we couldn’t use them, what I can admit, we still need to work on strikers,” Okere told Flashscore.
“My strikers are in a hurry to score, they lack the composure to plan and execute their plan, it a really problem, and then the midfield gave away too many balls, and they we create chances, and squander, it is a big problem that must be solved ahead of the remaining three matches.”
Asked about the title despite dropping three points, Okere said: “We will fight until the last minute, football is tricky, today you win, tomorrow you lose, today it is me, and tomorrow it is you, so we don’t know about tomorrow what will happen.
"So, as Tusker, we are not going to drop the guard, we will fight for every point available, we will give everything until the final day, we are not ready to give up now. It has been a journey we started some months back. Why stop now, when we only have three matches left?”
Tusker’s remaining three matches will see them face Sofapaka, Kariobangi Sharks and close the season against Homeboyz.
Kenya Police are not ready to give up now
Just like Tusker coach, Police gaffer Etienne Ndayiragije is not ready to throw in the towel.
“We lost but remained on top of the table, that is a big encouragement at this stage of the season, it means we are still in the title race, whatever number of days it takes to play the remaining matches, we are in it,” the Burundian coach told Flashscore.
“We want to do our part, we are not interested with what our rivals are doing, we deserved to win against Homeboyz, we had many chances than them, we should have come out with something from the game if not a win, but I have asked my players to quickly shift focus into the next game.”
For the law enforcers, they will next face Talanta on Saturday, May 17th, battle Shabana before winding up their fixtures against Gor Mahia on June 22nd.
Write off Shabana's title chances at your own peril
Shabana coach Peter Okidi has warned that the leading rivals should not write off Shabana’s title chances despite lying fourth.
“When we came for this new season, we said our target is to win the title, we did not come here to participate or to finish in the middle of the league, my message to the rivals and I will keep repeating, please win your games,” said Okidi.
“We all have three matches to play, so everyone should take care of themselves. We don’t care if Police lost, we don’t care if Tusker lost, we are focusing on our next game against Mara Sugar, and the league winner will be decided after the three matches.”
Shabana’s last three matches will see them face Mara Sugar, title-chasers Police and conclude the season with a home game against Ulinzi Stars.
