By Samuel Gacharira,

From the five goal thriller at Machakos Stadium to the abandoned tie at the Moi International Sports Centre it was a thrilling weekend with action galore.

The axe is yet to claim any casualty as the bottom placed sides continue to battle to avoid the chop while the Top 8 bracket got a new entrant in the name of AFC Leopards whose win moved them to position 8 on the log.

Defending champions Gor Mahia maintained their four point lead at the helm as Sofapaka kept up the cadence after registering a crucial win.

Thursday 16^th October

Sofapaka 3-2 Ushuru (Machakos Stadium)

Not even a change in name could spare Ken Kenyatta’s side from succumbing to a seventh successive defeat in the league.

John Njoroge gave the hosts the breakthrough via a left foot volley at the half hour mark. He then turned from scorer to provider one minute after the break picking out Danson Kago from a corner for Sofapaka’s second.

Five minutes later, a moment of laxity saw the visitors score two goals in a span of eight minutes to level the scores. Carlson Mwaresa and Roosevelt Blaty were on target for the taxmen.

Ekaliani Ndolo managed to snatch the winner in the 90^th minute to ensure that Sofapaka maintain their second place and keep their title hopes alive. Ushuru are now ranked 12^th as their free fall persists.

Friday 17^th October

AFC Leopards 3-0 Thika United (City Stadium)

Joseph Shikokoti returned to Ingwe’s starting 11 in propitious fashion heading in the second goal in what was a brilliant display for the hosts as they clawed their way to 8^th position. Austin Ikenna scored the opener from the spot after Sammy Mejja had handled in the box.

Michael Khamati then completed the rout 13 minutes from time with a neat finish. The result leaves Thika United still perched at position 6.

Saturday 18^th October

Ulinzi Stars 3-0 Western Stima (Afraha Stadium)

The soldiers’ extended their fine run with yet another win to make it three wins in a row. A fantastic display of speed, technique and accuracy from destroyer-in-chief Stephen Waruru was enough to hand the hosts the three points. He bagged a hatrick to help his side see off a determined Western Stima side. The result leaves them at position 4 while the visitors drop to 10^th position.

Bandari 0-0 Nakuru All Stars (Mombasa Municipal Stadium)

Shaban Odhoji almost single handedly earned relegation threatened Nakuru All Stars a crucial away point. He managed to thwart the marauding Bandari attack led by Kepha Aswani, Victor Ndinya and Shaban Kenga on several occasions. The two sides maintain their rankings on the table with Bandari at 13^th place and Nakuru All Stars still last on the log.

Sunday 19^th October

Gor Mahia 1-0 Mathare United (City Stadium)

George `Blackberry` Odhiambo continued his resurgence in remarkable style netting the only goal in what was a tough encounter against a stubborn Mathare United side. This ensured the hosts inch closer to a 14^th title as the visitors dropped to position 11 in the log.

Sony Sugar 2-0 Nairobi City Stars (Awendo Green Stadium)

Samuel Onyango scored in either side of the pitch to complete a brace that not only marked a return to the Top 8 bracket for his team but also compounded the visitors’ relegation woes. Zedekiah `Zico` Otieno was all smiles since his side is now ranked 7^th while his opposite number Robinson Ndubuisi slammed the referees for what he termed as biased officiating.

KCB 1-2 Chemelil Sugar (Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani)

Meshack Karani scored a beauty of a goal looping an oncoming Zachary Onyango in the KCB goal to ensure his side bagged all the three points. Lackluster defending saw the hosts give away crucial points just four minutes after Raymond Murugi had cancelled Hamisi Mwinyi’s first half strike. The result leaves KCB at 14^th place while Mike Mururi’s side remains at position 5.

Tusker vs. Muhoroni Youth (Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani)

Both sides will have to wait for a boardroom decision from the KPL management to know their fate after the tie was abandoned with 15 minutes remaining. The presence of 12 Tusker players on the field of play triggered fierce altercations that forced the match officials to call off the match.

At that time, Tusker was leading 2-1 courtesy of Clifford Alwanga and Brian Osumba while Ezekiel Otuoma had managed to pull one back later on for the visitors.