FKF-PL Round 14: What we learnt

Gor Mahia

Gor Mahia players celebrate their goal against FC Talanta during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Kasarani on January 16, 2022.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Ambani will hope to build on the win as he looks to turn around the club's fortunes.
  • The win took his side out of the relegation zone and into 15th place on 12 points from 14 encounters.

The Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) entered its 14th round over the weekend with league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz opening a five-point gap at the top following a 3-2 win over KCB at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani Annex.

Former champions Gor Mahia also won 2-0 to give British coach Mark Harrison a warm welcome on his return after recovering from Covid-19.

Wazito’s new coach Fred Ambani also began his second stint at the club with a win.

On a sad note, scenes of hooliganism marred Posta Rangers clash against Ulinzi Stars at the Kenya Utalii Sports Club on Friday.

Nation Sport looks at four things which stood out in round 14 of action.

Kakamega Homeboyz five points clear

With just three matches three till the season hits the half-way mark, Kakamega Homeboyz solidified their lead at the top.

Yema Mwana’s brace and defender Estone Esiye goal were enough to help Kakamega Homeboyz end KCB's three season dominance over them.

Even though coach Bernard Mwalala says it is still early to talk about their title chances, he hopes they will be on top when the season reaches the half-way point.

Abana ba Ingoo are perched at the top of the league on 31 points, five more than Nairobi City Stars after 14 rounds of matches.

Despite losing their 11 match unbeaten run with a home loss to newbies FC Talanta two weeks ago, Homeboyz have responded brilliantly.

Tusker's defence of league title waning

The brewers' indifferent start to the season puts their chances of defending their title at serious risk.

They suffered yet another loss at the weekend after falling 1-0 to Nairobi City Stars courtesy of Oliver Maloba’s 87th minute strike piling more pressure on coach Robert Matano.

Despite parting ways with 15 players and signing many others, Tusker have struggled this season even against lowly ranked opponents.

They have won five matches, lost six and drawn once to languish in 13th on the log with 16 points from 12 games, 15 behind leaders Homeboyz.

Chaos highlights Ulinzi, Posta match

Posta Rangers' clash against Ulinzi Stars at Kenya Utalii Sports club on Friday was marred with chaos in the last 10 minutes.

The mailmen protested over a penalty kick awarded to the soldiers in the 85th minute when they were leading 1-0.

The game was halted for five minutes during the fracas.

Rangers coach Stanley Okumbi, his assistant Charles 'Korea' Omondi and team goalkeeper trainer Victor Omondi were all sent off after invading the pitch and engaging center referee Luke Odhiambo. 

The trio were protesting the decision to award the visitors a penalty after evergreen David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng had handled the ball inside the box, an incident which the linesman didn’t notice and had flagged for a goal kick, before his decision was overruled by Odhiambo. 

Nevertheless, Kevin ‘Oush’ Ouma’s penalty hit the goal post, but the mailmen's joy was short lived as the soldiers equalised in the 94th minute through Oscar Wamalwa.

The trio will not be on the bench when Rangers face KCB on Wednesday. 

Ambani wins on Wazito return

After sacking experienced coach Francis Kimanzi, Wazito recorded their third win of the season in coach Fred Ambani’s first game in his return to the club since November 2020.

The financially troubled side got their goals from Michael Owino and James Kinyanjui in their 2-1 over Nzoia Sugar at Kenya Utalii Sports Club.

Ambani will hope to build on the win as he looks to turn around the club's fortunes.

The win took his side out of the relegation zone and into 15th place on 12 points from 14 encounters.