Kenya Commercial Bank’s seventeen year stay in the top tier of the Kenyan league hangs in a balance after losing 2-0 to soldiers Ulinzi Stars and Nairobi City Stars winning at Ushuru.

Jimmy Bageya,the unsung hero of the last league match against the bankers scored the all important goal in the 72nd minute.the goal proved vital sending the Kawangware boys to 27 points two ahead of KCB who now occupy the relegation spot.City Stars win ultimately seals Nakuru All Stars fate as they get relegated to the lower tier.

In a day of predictions and prayers City Stars needed a win to have a higher chance of surviving and they had to beat the tax collecters Ushuru and pray KCB falter against the soldiers.By half time KCB were trailing Ulinzi stars by an Eons Ochieng and Erick Apul goals and with City’s Stars and Ushuru locked at 0-0,a rare hope for the Kawangware boys ensued.

Ugandan import Jimmy Bageye did the damage scoring for the Denis Wise Okoth lead side to just within victory to survive.

Going into the last matches ,KCB needs to beat Western Stima in Kisumu and hope City Stars lose at their Hope Centre against sugar millers Sony Sugar.

In another match played today at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu, hard fighting Muhoroni Youth maintained their long match unbeaten run when they came from a goal down to hold AFC leopards 1-1 in an entertaining match played in Kisumu.
Muhoroni with their cheering fans were down in the 23rd minute when impressive Bernard Mangoli scored a beauty from a superb free kick past advancing Muhoroni keeper Farouk Shimano.With Leopards trailing the Nkata led side at the breather, a second half full of dirty football epitomed with Ingwe’s Keeper Lucas Indeche and Muhoroni Ghanaian Tafiq getting their matching orders after trading blows.Wellington Ochieng had earlier drew level for Muhoroni in the 59th minute with a clinical header.

The win ensures Muhoroni assumes the fourth slot on 44 points albeit today with fifth placed Sofapaka visiting slam boys Mathare.AFC leopards maintain the seventh spot and within the Top 8.

At the Mbaraki Sports Complex in Mombasa City,dockers Bandari FC beat visiting Western Stima 3-1 to surpass Muhoroni to the 3rd with 44 points while Stigma maintain the 12th spot with 34 points.

George Abege and David Kingatua scored in quick succession in the 44th and 47th minutes for the Home boys before Shafique Batambuze reduced the deficit in the 69th minute.David Kingatua scored his second and third with three minutes to go.

Tomorrow KPL action resumes Champions Gor Mahia taking on brewers Tusker in Kisumu while Sony Sugar will be at Awendo to battle it out with relegated All Stars .Thika United will host millers Chemelil at the Thika Sub County Stadium while slum boys Mathare United will date Sofapaka.

Austin Oduor

talking African football