Tusker FC ended Kenya Police’s slim hopes of winning their maiden Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title following a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the new Dandora Stadium on Saturday.
The law enforcers were the closest challengers to reigning champions Gor Mahia during most of the second round of the top-flight after early pacesetters Posta Rangers and Bandari FC fell by the wayside, and they had gone for 12 undefeated matches in all competitions to keep K’Ogalo in close check.
However, after losing their amazing run to AFC Leopards by a solitary goal last weekend, Police under Salim Babu needed to bounce back to keep alive their slim hopes of lifting the trophy at the end of the season against the Brewers but it was not the case as they suffered their second straight defeat, but their seventh overall of the campaign, to drop off the title race and give K’Ogalo the much-needed breathing space.
After a cagey first half that did not produce goals, it was defender Charles Momanyi, who scored in his second successive game to hand Tusker the victory in the 43rd minute and help them to consolidate their second position on the 18-team table, with 56 points, eight fewer than Gor Mahia, who have 64, but will be crowned champions if they beat Muhoroni Youth in their fixture on Sunday.
For Police, the defeat saw them stay third on the log with 54 points, 10 behind K’Ogalo and they can now shift their focus to the Mozzart Bet FKF Cup where they have a chance to win their first-ever domestic Cup.
Meanwhile, Shabana FC blew away their chance to move above the relegation zone after letting go of a first-half lead and going down 2-1 against Kariobangi Sharks. Tore Bobe went into the fixture knowing a win would be vital to move them above Sofapaka, and they took a deserved lead through captain Justin Omwando in the 21st minute.
But two goals in three minutes courtesy of star striker John Mark Makwatta, in the 78th and 81st minutes respectively, dented Shabana’s hopes as Sharks carried the day to leap-frog Kakamega Homeboyz to position eighth with 44 points.
The defeat left the Kisii-based Glamour Boys just a place below the relegation spot with 29 points, and it could get worse for them if Muhoroni manages to grind out a win against Gor Mahia.
Homeboyz lost their slot following a 2-1 defeat against Posta to drop to ninth with 44 points, same as Shark but the latter have a superior goal difference. Against Posta, Homeboyz dominated proceedings and took a 10th-minute lead via Brian Eshihanda.