Five rounds to closure of the inaugural Sportpesa Super 8 Premier League, and the race for title is still wide open for all the three top contenders.
In the absence of leaders Jericho All Stars who resume action on Wednesday, Kayole Asubuhi and TUK made sure they picked maximum in their weekend fixtures and close in at the top.
Kayole edged MASA 2-1 to tie on 49 points with Jericho at the apex of table standings,while TUK thumped Melta Kaberia 5-0 to move within a point reach in the third position.
Ajax and Shamako Babes were shock winners in their fixtures, beating Shauri Moyo 2-1 and Kabete United 3-1 respectively.
Here’s a breakdown of the eventful weekend.
TUK 5-0 MELTA KABIRIA
Lawrence Agina struck a brace as champions TUK set their title defence campaign on the right bearing with a 5-0 demolition of visiting Meltah Kabiria on Saturday 13 July at Camp Toyoyo grounds, Jericho estate.
By bagging the three points, the university students come to within sight of the title where they cut the point gap separating them and leaders Jericho All Stars to a single point as the win improves their point tally to 48 points where they sit at position 3.
It was a heart-breaking defeat for the Shadrack Ateka’s Melta whose six match unbeaten run came crushing when TUK forward Stephen Odhiambo sunk the opener two minutes after kick-off and the hosts never looked back as Agina swept home the second goal at the half hour mark.
Restarting at 2-0 in favor of the TUK, the Francis Oduor led team shifted gears in the second stanza with Raphael Asodi shaking the net in the 51st minute before Agina added his second goal and the fourth of the match.
Melta searched in vain for a consolation goal but were unsuccessful and Lotan Mwagodi’s 81 minute strike further drowned the visitors putting the scores beyond doubt. The outcome means Melta retain 8th spot with 37 points.
KAYOLE ASUBUHI 2-1 MASA
At the same venue, Kayole Asubuhi humbled MASA 2-1 in a fiercely-contested encounter to pile more pressure at the top of the league table standings where they now tied on 49 points with leaders Jericho but the latter has a superior goal difference.
John Njau and Tobias Olum were both on the mark in either halves to hand Asubuhi the three points of the game as Vincent Odera scored the consolation goal for MASA early in the second half.
The loss for Hassan Andale’s MASA sees them retain 6th slot with 38 points.
BABA DOGO UNITED 1-5 KAWANGWARE UNITED
Kawangware United registered one of their biggest wins in the second leg after a 5-1 demolition of relegation bound Baba Dogo United at Baba Dogo grounds.
After going three matches without hitting the mark, the competition’s leading top scorer Francis Thairu made a dream comeback by scoring a brace to inspire his side collect the maximum points in the game and improve his goal haul to 21.
His team mate Victor John put a star performance as he also netted twice in the first half before Dennis Mbucho’s late second half goal sealed the victory for Kawangware United who now have 33 points at position 10 on the table standings.
Baba Dogo United scored the consolation goal through…… but it was not enough to lift them as they remain 14th with 18 points.
KABETE UNITED 1-3 SHAMAKO BABES
At Kabete grounds, Shamako Babes breathed some life to their miserable campaign by shocking Kabete United 3-1 to ink their third win in the completion so far.
Kabete were sent in front late in the first half when John Aswani dinked the opener before George Njoroge restored parity at the hour mark through a penalty kick after a Shamako player was brough down in the dangerous area.
Douglas Kabiru and James Gichuru each scored a goal late in the second half to gift the basement side the three vital points that increased their point to 12. Kabete remain 11th with 31 points.
DIGUNA FC 2-1 METRO SPORTS
Samuel Kinutia was the hero of the match, scoring twice as Diguna edged Shauri Moyo Blue Stars 2-1 at Nakeel grounds.
Kinuthia opened the score sheet in the 38thn minute as Diguna capitalized on home ground to bring down the East conference contenders who were overwhelmed from kick-off until the final whistle.
Three minutes after the second half, Kinuthia doubled the lead for the Rongai based club and the match looked destined to end 2-0 until Metro’s forward Peter Ambetsa reduced the deficit late in the final half.
The result leaves Metro stagnant at 5th with 41 points as Diguna are four spots below at 9th with 36 points.
AJAX FC 2-1 SHAURI MOYO BLUE STARS
Shauri Moyo Blue Stars pace in the competition was slowed by plucky Ajax FC who beat them 2-1 at Nakeel grounds.
Ajax started the match on a sound note as Kennedy Ouma grabbed the lead for his side but Wyclife Maikara negated his efforts moments later.
It was Roy Ochieng who scored the decisive winning goal for the home team who now sit 6th with 41 points as Blue Stars remain at 4th with 43 points.
WEEK 25 RESULTS:
AJAX 2-1 SHAURIMOYO BLUE STARS
KABETE UNITED 1-3 SHAMAKO BABES
DIGUNA 2-1 METRO SPORTS
BABA DOGO UNITED 1-5 KAWANGWARE UNITED
KIAMAIKO CITY 2-0 KAYOLE YOUTH (WO)
TUK 5-0 MELTAH KABIRIA
KAYOLE ASUBUHI 2-1 MASA
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