By Gilbert Wandera and Robin Toskin

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season ended in spectacular fashion as Western Stima, needing a win to survive relegation, condemned Mahakama to second tier football with a Dan Makachi goal at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega.

It was a tense affair in Mombasa, too, as Bandari hang on to their 1-1 score line against Agro Chemical to stay afloat in part helped by Mahakama’s defeat.

Mathare United who were already assured of a maiden KPL title, put the icing on the cake, with a 2-1 victory over Red Berets at Nyayo Stadium in a match where Francis Ouma grabbed a brace to top the goal-poachers’ chart with 15 goals. Mayaka Nyaberi pulled a goal back for Red Berets

WE’RE THE CHAMPS: Supersport’s Gary Rathbone joins Mathare United players in celebrating KPL title triumph at Nyayo Stadium. Photo: robert gicheru/standard

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Ouma was level on 13 goals, with Chemelil’s John ‘Kangi’ Mwangi going into the final day, but with the sugar millers losing 1-0 at Ulinzi, the Mathare man is officially the sharp-shooter.

Sony Sugar, who have had their chances of a second helping to the championship maimed by Mathare United’s draw at Agro a fortnight ago, ended on a high with a 2-0 in over Sher Karuturi in Awendo.

Noah Abich’s fifth penalty of the season and Denis Onkangi’s late header cemented Sony Sugar’s second position.

Back in Nairobi, Mathare United confirmed their status as Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions on a sound note after overcoming Red Berets 2-1 at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday. It was double celebration for United when striker Francis Ouma scored twice to also emerge the league’s top scorer.

The two goals by Ouma on Saturday ensured that he finished on 15 goals and will pocket Sh150, 000 for his effort. United are entitled to a prize money of Sh1.5million.

Celebration

Ouma scored first in the 26th minute, slotting home from the penalty spot after Samuel Kiarie had brought him down. He added his second in the 46th minute heading home from an Austin Makacha cross. Berets pulled one back through Nyaberi Mayaka in the 85th minute also from a penalty after defender Egdar Ochieng handled in the box.

Urged on by their fans, United were more composed and comfortably handled the ball. The early part of the match was evenly matched, with neither side showing hunger for goals. Berets were particularly good on dead ball situations, which, time and again, soared into United’s danger zone from the flanks.

The stadium was thrown into celebrations as United players danced round the pitch carrying the winner’s trophy high. Coach Francis Kimanzi was also carried shoulder high in the frenzy.

Kimanzi said afterwards he felt great about winning the title though he predicted bigger challenges.

"Its great as it gives us a lot of motivation. You always feel awesome after fighting for so long and you achieve your goal though at the back of your mind you understand that this is the start of more challenges," he said.

Kimanzi, who won the Moi Golden Cup as a player for United ten years ago, said what won the trophy for them this time around was working on their past mistakes.

"We have been making many mistakes and have worked on correcting them. This is what has won for us the trophy," he added.

He is equally not fazed by the prospects of playing the big guns of Africa in next year’s CAF champions league.For United striker Ouma, wining the league brings to an end many frustrations.