FKF Premier League: Police stay on course, Tusker FC, Gor Mahia stumble

Photo Credit - Kenya Police FC.

Kenya Police remain on course to win their first-ever Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title after their closest challengers failed to win their respective matches in Sunday's decisive fixtures.

While the Law Enforcers secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against a stubborn FC Talanta side, second-placed Tusker suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat against Sofapaka. Third-placed Gor Mahia could only manage a 0-0 draw away to Murang’a Seal at SportPesa Arena.

Police went into the fixture having suffered a 2-1 defeat against Kakamega Homeboyz, and they showed their intentions to bounce back when David Simiyu fired them ahead in the 15th minute following a defence-splitting pass from Charles Ouma.

Youngster Mohammed Bajaber should have doubled their lead when he missed a sitter in the 24th minute, and Police were denied another goal six minutes later when a dramatic goal-line clearance kept the scoreline 1-0. Bajaber once again came close, but his effort went inches wide as Police continued to push for the second goal.

At the start of the second half, Police head coach Etienne Ndayiragije made a double substitution, Kenneth Muguna and Marvin Nabwire being introduced for Brian Musa and Eric Zakayo. Jesse Were was also then introduced for goalscorer Simiyu. Police could not add to their one goal, but they managed to squeeze out an important victory.

The win increased Police lead at the top to 61 points, six more than Tusker and seven more than third-placed record champions Gor Mahia. While Police won their fixture, Tusker went down 7-1 against Batoto ba Mungu, with club fans calling for the sacking of head coach Charles Okere after the game.

Sofapaka led 4-0 at the half-time break following goals from Edward Omondi, Wyne Messi, Jack Onganya, who scored in the 38th and 45th minute. The goals continued to flood in at the start of the second period, with Rodgers Kipkemoi making it 5-0, before Omondi scored his second and the team's sixth. Onganya wrapped up the emphatic win, completing his hat-trick in the 88th minute.

The defeat dented Tusker’s hopes of winning the title with only two matches remaining until the end of the season. It was Tusker’s seventh defeat of the season. They have won 15 matches and drawn ten.

For Sofapaka, they jumped to seventh with 43 points accumulated from ten wins, 13 draws and nine defeats. Meanwhile, after losing their previous fixture 2-1 against Nairobi City Stars, Gor Mahia failed to return to their winning ways after being held to a 0-0 draw at Murang’a.

K’Ogalo stayed third with 54 points garnered from 15 wins, nine draws and seven defeats.