Four talking points as FKF-PL resumes

Kariobangi Sharks forward Patrick Otieno celebrates

Patrick Otieno of Kariobangi sharks celebrates after scoring against Nairobi City stars during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Ruaraka grounds on December 4, 2021.

Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • The loss also puts pressure on Nzoia Sugar coach Ibrahim Shikanda, whose side narrowly survived the chop last season.
  • Newbies Bullets rocked at the bottom with one point, while Nzoia Sugar has two points. 

The Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) resumed over the weekend after a three weeks suspension occasioned by the government's decision to disband the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Kariobangi Sharks climbed to the top of the league following a 2-1 win against Nairobi City Stars at Ruaraka grounds, while Wazito at last tasted victory to give coach Francis Kimanzi some reprieve.

Nation Sport picks out four things we learned from the action in the Kenyan top flight.

Wazito record first win of the season

After a six-match winless streak, Wazito finally bagged the first win of the season after seeing off Ulinzi Stars at the Kenya Utalii Sports Club.

The money bags' lone goal was netted by Amos Asembeka in the 23rd minute of the contest and should have won by a bigger margin after dominating proceedings.

The win pushed the Francis Kimanzi coached side to 14th on the log on five points from seven matches.

Kimanzi attributed the excellent performance to hard work during the three weeks the league was suspended. Youngster Erickson Mulu, who started his first game for Wazito, produced a Man of the Match performance and he will definitely be a player to watch this season.

AFC Leopards' poor run continues

When Leopards upset champions Tusker in the league opener on September 25 with a team full of a youngsters, many thought that this was the sign of good things to come.

However, the Big Cats have found the going tough and lost their fifth match of the season after going down by a solitary goal to 10-man Bidco United at the Thika Sub County Stadium.

Forward Emmanuel Mogaka scored from the spot in the 55th minute in the game where Zachary Gathu received his matching orders for foul play late in the second half.

The loss saw coach Patrick Aussems' charges drop to the 16th, just two places above the relegation spot with four points from seven matches.

Mazembe proving his worth at KCB

Former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder James Mazembe has played a critical role in KCB's good start this season.

Over the weekend, Mazembe scored his third goal of the season as the bankers edged out newbies Vihiga Bullets 3-1  at the Kenya Utalii Sports Club.

Mazembe scored in the 24th minute and also had an assist in Michael Mutinda's goal.

Apart from scoring, he has proved to be the king of assists in the bankers' squad. He also assisted in goals netted in KCB's past wins against Sofapaka, Kenya Police and Wazito.

Vihiga Bullets, Nzoia Sugar still searching for first wins

While Vihiga lost 3-1 to KCB, Nzoia Sugar went down 1-0 to neighbours Kakamega Homeboyz at the Sudi Stadium in Bungoma.

Kakamega Homeboyz's lone goal was netted by Stephen Opoku in the 72nd minute.

The loss was the fifth for the cane cutters and sixth for Vihiga Bullets, who fired coach Evans Mafuta in October, and roped in experienced tactician Juma Abdallah.

The loss also puts pressure on Nzoia Sugar coach Ibrahim Shikanda, whose side narrowly survived the chop last season.

Newbies Bullets are rocked at the bottom with one point, while Nzoia Sugar has two points.