Vihiga United stun Kisumu All Stars to return to the Premier League

Vihiga United players and officials celebrate after their KPL qualifier match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on November 04,2020. Vihiga United defeated Kisumu All Stars.(Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

Kisumu relegated to the NSL after losing 5-3 in penalties

Vihiga United beat All Stars to regain top flight status

Coach Okoth says his team is ready for the new FKF Premier League this month.

Vihiga United are back in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL).

Vihiga edged out Kisumu All Stars 5-3 on penalties in the promotion play-offs tie played on Wednesday at Moi Stadium in Kisumu to make a return to the top flight league after a year in the National Super League (NSL).

The visitors beat Kisumu 2-1 in regular time to tie the scores at 3-3 (aggregate) with All Stars having won at Vihiga’s backyard in Mumias with a similar score last week.

Eric Otieno gave the hosts the lead in the 45th minute to increase their advantage to 3-1 in aggregate scores before Dennis Wafula leveled matters in added time from a set piece to reduce the aggregate to 3-2.

Vihiga leveled the tie at 3-3 in aggregate after taking the lead through Patrick Okulo’s penalty in second half to send the game to penalties after regular time.

Vihiga successfully converted through Dennis Ombeva, Mike Esabwa, Junior Adeyeba, Norman Werunga and Patrick Okulo with All Stars Willis Otenda penalty miss giving the western-based team a ticket back to top flight.

Speaking after the game, Vihiga United head coach Sammy Okoth lauded his charges for not giving up especially after losing the first leg at home.

Vihiga United's Norman Werunga (left) tussles for the ball against Kisumu's Eric Otieno during their KPL qualifier match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on November 04,2020. Vihiga United defeated Kisumu All Stars.(Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

“Congratulations to the boys. I am very pleased with the character of all my players for giving their all despite the current challenges we are facing,” said a jovial Okoth.

“We did not give up even after Kisumu celebrated at our backyard last week. This win is not only a sigh of relief to the team but an indication of results we expect in the Premier League.”

Kisumu All Stars CEO Nicholas Ochieng conceded defeat, saying they will now shift focus to the NSL and strategise on returning back to the Premier League in the 2021-2022 season.

“The boys played well both home and away but luck was not on our side. It is a painful loss to us as management and to the players too but tomorrow we have to wake up and plan on what to do better in the NSL so that we return to where we belong,” Ochieng said.

Vihiga United, who finished third in the NSL, will now join Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United in the 2020-2021 FKF-PL set to kick off at the end of the month.

Kisumu All Stars on the other hand will join already relegated Sony Sugar and Chemelil Sugar in the NSL.