Is the league taking shape?
Kenya Police FC fans finally heaved a sigh of relief after the team dispatched Posta Rangers 2-0 in a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League match in Kasarani yesterday.
The star of the show that was played under searing heat was former AFC Leopards striker Elvis “Machapo” Rupia who scored a brace, the first goal coming through a penalty in the 16th minute and the second a field one in the 41st minute.
The result no doubt gave Police reassurance after they were held to a barren draw by Ulinzi Stars in a Disciplined Forces Derby last weekend.
Following the results, the two teams have swapped positions and Police are now in the seventh position and Rangers eighth with both teams having amassed 12 points although the latter has a superior goal aggregate.
In a match played at the same venue, Kakamega Homeboyz and Bidco United settled for a pulsating 1-1 draw with both goals coming within a space of a minute.
Michael Karomor had given Homeboyz the lead in the 77th minute and hardly had the dust settled when Bidco’s new signing from FC Talanta Thomas Wainaina equalized for the Thika side.
Meanwhile, after dislodging Tusker from the top of the league chart, Nzoia Sugar faces a tough test when they tackle Police at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
Nzoia Sugar is in a ruthless form that looks unmatchable but whether or not the team has flattered to deceive will be known when they face a Police side that boasts of arguably the richest signings amongst the 18 teams featuring in the top-tier league.
In other words, the prospect of Nzoia, who whacked Wazito 4-0 in Nairobi on Wednesday, beating the Police brigade under Francis Baraza appears too daunting to contemplate given the battle-hardened nature of the law enforcers who beat Posta Rangers in Nairobi yesterday.
But Nzoia did manage to make such a breakthrough by considerable margins against an equally star-studded Wazito which is why their Head Coach Salim Babu feels a repeat is not too much to ask from his charges in one of the nine matches lined up in the “Super Sunday”.
“We respect Police as it is an all-round good side but they should better understand that they are meeting a team that is yearning to win the title. A win for us is possible and I have urged my players to chase it and if possible maintain the top place until the end of the season,” said Babu.
He added: One thing I always remind my players is not to be carried away by any win. They can only celebrate when we lift the trophy,”
Having said that, Babu will be hoping that John Mwangi who struck a hat-trick against Wazito will be at his best again in the team’s quest to sink Police.
At Mbaraki Sports ground in Mombasa, AFC Leopards, convalesced after beating tail-enders Mathare 2-1, will be seeking a second straight victory when they visit Bandari.
After losing two consecutive matches against Nairobi City Stars and Wazito, Ingwe seems to have found a solution to their uncharacteristically poor execution in the final third, but the truth will only be known if the likes of Ojo Olaniyi, Cliff Nyakeya and Victor Omune will be able to beat Michael Wanyika between Bandari’s posts.
As for Bandari, the team will be hoping that Enock Momanyi, Felix Oluoch and Fidel Origa will provide the spark to ensure the team fires on all cylinders.
