Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League team FC Talanta boycotted a fixture against Kakamega Homeboyz in Ruaraka over perks allegedly owed to players by the team’s management. 

Talanta players claim they have not been paid allowances and bonuses for the last three months and that several reminders to the team owners have been unheeded.  The players are said to have been on a go-slow in training and have no qualms about missing more matches until their plight is addressed. 

“We have borne the brunt of frustration from the management oblivious of the fact that we have families to feed. We are tired. They do not care at all about our predicament,” said a devastated player who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.  Talanta insider said the management is considering taking severe disciplinary action against anyone who will have been found culpable of inciting players to give a wide berth to the match. 

Blessings in disguise

For Homeboyz, the snub is a blessing in disguise as they have been awarded a walkover by the FKF Transformation Committee with the maximum three points implying that they remain bumper-to-bumper with Tusker in the chase for the league title. 

Tusker, who are at par with Homeboyz in the number of points, received a boon and continued being at the summit of the league following a 2-0 win over Bidco United in Kasarani. 

A free-kick by Isaac Kipyego in the 65th minute fell in the path of Lawrence Luvanda whose header hit the post with Rodgers Ouma reacting quickly to poke in to give Tusker the lead.  Luvanda scored the winning goal in the 74th minute after latching onto a pass from Jackson Macharia. 

At Bukhungu Stadium, Kenya Police piled on the relegation woes of Vihiga Bullets by beating them 3-1. 

Clinton Kinanga gave Police the opener in the 28th minute with David Simiyu, a new signing from KCB, adding the second goal eight minutes later. 

Bullets then pulled one back through a penalty in added time of the first half before Police put the game to bed with the third and fourth goal through Cliffton Miheso. 

In Kasarani Annex, Gor Mahia came from a goal down to hold Nzoia Sugar to a one-all draw. 

Nzoia stunned Gor when Levis Okello shot them in the lead in the 26th minute before Samuel Onyango levelled for K’ogalo in the 50th minute. 

Meanwhile, the match between AFC Leopards and Nairobi City Stars that was originally programmed for Nyayo Stadium was pushed to today at Thika Stadium as the former venue had been booked for a function.