Kenya: Rangers Still Ahead of Chasing Tusker

Sammy Kitula Skitula

13 June 2011

Nairobi — The Kenyan Premier League still witnesses Rangers FC on top but Tusker FC, who are second and have a match in hand, are level on points with weekend winners Ulinzi Stars.

Congo United are playing some brilliant football while Bandari seem to have woken up, at least for the weekend.

The Ulinzi Stars versus Tusker FC duel at Afraha Stadium didn’t disappoint while a few of the league’s bottom dwellers continue to, well, dwell at the bottom.

Game-week 14 was the kind of weekend where Premier League fans witnessed some all too familiar results (losses from Mathare United and Sony Sugar) yet had plenty of interesting, eye-lifting, head-turning moments to suit those who believe Kenya’s top flight to be exciting, yet predictable in nature.

One such moment of self-realisation was Chemelil’s 2-1 win over the high riding Kenya Commercial Bank at the City Stadium on Saturday.

And while the Edward Manoah’s detractors are silenced – at least for a few days – the tactician, in all his tactical dexterity, continues to prove those attempting to expose him as a fraud are quite decisively wrong.

Title challenge a bridge too far

If only the sugarmen can find that bit of consistency needed to compete in the KPL, the Ruaraka-based bankers would be forced to get used to the losing end of 1-2 score-lines.

Chemelil Sugar stay eighth on the log and 10 points adrift the leaders as any idea of a meaningful title challenge still seems a bridge too far.

“We are taking each match at a time. This is a crucial moment in the premier league and teams will be keen on banking points. We are on the same path,” said Manoah.

For Mathare United, the year after year feeling supporters have become all too familiar with – disdain for their neighbours KCB and Tusker but, more importantly, one that points to a mysterious hole in their squad that needs sorting before a piece of silverware may be attained – still looms in the foreground of the United faithful.

They lost 2-0 to Nairobi City Stars. It was a frustrating day for the 2008 KPL champions, but the disconcerted Salim Ali will fix the problems that currently plague United’s machine.

Still lacking title credentials

Supporters trust him but remain frustrated themselves as United’s once young squad matures into a side still lacking title credentials.

Whether the fix comes in time for Ali to seriously challenge for the title or before more players want out proves to be a riddle too elusive to make clear.

Congo United disposed of Thika United quite easily at Mbaraki Sports Ground 3-0 with a brace from Ramadhan Mbuggus and Mohammed Said Bazenga.

The Coast-based KPL debutants finally produced the kind of performance fans have been wanting as too many draws and scoreless affairs as well as losses have played out at the Mbaraki Sports Club.

Gilbert Selebwa was backed by the Congo supporters during Sunday’s win while the three points gained sees the side in 13th position, one better than Mathare United.

In Naivasha, it was a sweet victory for the James Nandwa coached Karuturi Sports side which has been recording mixed results in the first leg of the league after they defeated Sony Sugar 1-0.

This was as good account for the flowermen, but their fans will want more of the same before they believe Nandwa is the answer.

Weekend results

Congo United 3 Thika United 0, Karuturi Sports 1 Sony Sugar 0, City Stars 2 Mathare United 0, KCB 1 Chemelil Sugar 2, Bandari 1 Rangers 0, Ulinzi Stars 1 Tusker 0

AllAfrica – All the Time