FKF title race takes dramatic turn as rivals slip up

By , May 20, 2025

Kenya Police inched closer to a historic maiden FKF Premier League title after edging FC Talanta 1-0 on Sunday, a result made even sweeter as title rivals Tusker suffered a shocking 7-1 thrashing by Sofapaka and Gor Mahia were held to a barren draw by Murang’a Seal, leaving the law enforcers firmly in the driver’s seat with two matches to go.

Police went into the fixture having suffered a 2-1 defeat against Kakamega Homeboyz, and they showed their intentions to bounce back when David Simiyu fired them ahead in the 15th minute following a defence-splitting pass from Charles Ouma in midfield.

Youngster Mohammed Bajaber should have doubled their lead when he missed an open sitter in the 24th minute and Police were further denied another goal six minutes later when a dramatic goal-line clearance kept the scoreline at 1-0. Bajaber once again came close, but his effort went inches wide as Police continued to press for a second goal.

At the start of the second half, Police head coach Etienne Ndayiragije went for a double substitution, introducing Kenneth Muguna and Marvin Nabwire for Brian Musa and Eric Zakayo.

Jesse Were was also brought on for goalscorer Simiyu, but Police could not add to their one goal. However, they managed to squeeze out an important win.

“We need to stay calm and humble. We still have two matches to go. We don’t want to start celebrating now; we want to stay humble and do our work. It is not easy. We have worked hard to be at the top. When I came here, Police were lying at the bottom, but now we are at the top. The target is the title, and we have two matches to go. This is our focus,” said Ndayiragije.

The win increased Police’s lead at the top to 61 points, six more than Tusker and seven more than third-placed record champions Gor Mahia. While Police won their fixture, Tusker went down 7-1 against Batoto ba Mungu, with club fans calling for the sacking of head coach Charles Okere after the game.

Sofapaka led 4-0 at half-time following goals from Edward Omondi, Wyne Messi, and Jack Onganya, who scored a brace in the 38th and 45th minutes. The goals continued to flood in at the start of the second half, with Rodgers Kipkemoi making it 5-0, before Omondi scored the sixth, his second, and Onganya wrapped up the emphatic win with a hat-trick in the 88th minute.

The defeat dented Tusker’s hopes of winning the title, with only two matches remaining in the season. It was Tusker’s seventh defeat of the campaign. They have won 15 matches and drawn 10.

For Sofapaka, they jumped to seventh with 43 points, accumulated from 10 wins, 13 draws, and nine defeats.

Meanwhile, after losing their previous fixture 2-1 against Nairobi City Stars, Gor Mahia failed to return to winning ways after being held to a 0-0 draw in Murang’a.

K’Ogalo are now third with 54 points, accumulated from 15 wins, nine draws and seven defeats.

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