The brewers, AFC Leopards and Mathare United all have 17 points each as the race tightens.
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| Tusker FC defender Collins Shivachi (left) vies for the ball with Western Stima's Baron Oketch during their SportPesa Premier League match at Moi Stadium, Kisumu, on April 9, 2016. Tusker top the log with 17 points. |
There were no major upsets in the race for the SportsPesa Premier League title after round eight matches with the fight at the top remaining close and tight.
Leaders Tusker won 2-1 against Western Stima at Kenyatta Stadium to move to 17 points but Mathare United and AFC Leopards also romped to victories against Sony Sugar and Sofapaka respectively to match their brewers’ total points.
Tusker however top the log on goal difference as Mathare United and Ingwe follow in that order.
However, in the fascinating weekend, it was Zedekiah Otieno’s Posta Rangers who put on a show that ended Ulinzi Stars unbeaten run with a clinical 1-0 win.
Otieno’s charges, considered the league dark horses, had suffered a dip in form after a dream start, drawing 1-1 with Sony Sugar and recording goalless draw against Thika United in their last two matches.
But they were in their element at the weekend snatching a first win in three matches when they disarmed the soldiers.
It was a shrewd performance laced with a solid defensive display that saw Ulinzi’s unbeaten run tumble down.
TAKING TIME TO GEL
Had Ulinzi won the match, they would have cemented their place at position four on 16 points but as things stand, it’s the mail men who are below third-placed Leopards with 13 points while Ulinzi lie fifth with the same number of points but on an inferior goal difference.
Bandari and Muhoroni Youth follow in that order with 12 points apiece.
Prior to the start of the season, the dockers, who built an impressive playing unit around star strikers Dan Sserunkuma, Meshach Karani, George Abege and Edwin Lavatsa were expected to be a major force but they are taking time to gel.
With results not going their way, Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin has certainly been a frustrated man and he made his mind known last week blaming his rusty striking force.
Record champions, Gor Mahia with 15 titles under their belt, were also made to count their losses after they fluffed a penalty to settle for a barren draw with Ushuru.
The enormity of the dropped points was evident at the Gor players sunk to their knees spent as their frustrated fans made for the exit.
However, for Ushuru, it was sleek performance that will embolden their fight for a top eight. “The result (0-0 draw) is a bonus and to get a point from the champions is good enough. It will give us confidence going forward,” towering Ushuru coach, Ken Kenyatta gloated after the match.
