Kenya: Race Wide Open

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Francis Wadegu

21 June 2011

The race for this year’s Kenyan Premier League title remained wide open as the season reached its halfway stage over the weekend.

In one of the lowest scoring weekends in the recent history of Kenya’s top flight football, only one goal was scored in six matches, ensuring the status quo was maintained at either end of the league table.

Rangers, who battled to a barren draw away at Western Stima, held onto the top spot with 29 points having finished their first leg matches.

Tusker and KCB, the other contenders for the league crown in one of the most open seasons, drew nil all in another goal less encounter that was full of caution rather than adventure. The highlight of the match was the presence of Ibrahim Kitawi wearing the famous yellow and black colours of Tusker and Itubu Imbem, who came in for him in the second half.

The brewers, who have a game in hand are still second with 27 points, two behind the leaders with similar points as third-placed Ulinzi Stars.The soldiers also fought out a barren draw against Karuturi Sports to miss out on the chance to go top of the table for the first time this season. The greatest beneficiary of the low scoring weekend was Gor Mahia, who earned the crucial points, after beating Chemelil Sugar 1-0.

The victory put Zedekiah Otieno’s side, who gave debuts to new signings Demonde selenge and Wycliffe Ochomo, straight back into the title race, sitting six points behind the table toppers with two games in hands.

K’Ogallo, whose season has been marred with controversies involving some of their supporters, could by the end of their first leg be at the top of the table if they winning their remaining matches.

This is a performance that was least expected by football enthusiasts especially after their 3-0 debacle against Rangers, in the season opener. The first coast derby in more than six years failed to live up to its billing as Congo United and Bandari played out a cagey goal-less draw.

The result left both teams still at the wrong side of the league table with Bandari rooted in the relegation zone with 13 points, only one better than bottom of the table Nairobi City Stars, whose match against Sony Sugar ended scoreless.

AllAfrica – All the Time