Tusker in perfect control of FKF Premier League

Tusker's Lawrence Luvanda during FKF Premier League match against Bidco at Kasarani Annex on Sunday, June 5, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Defending champions Tusker are one win away from lifting the 2021-2022 FKF Premier league title.

The brewers boosted their chances of winning a 13th Premier League gong after defeating Bidco United 2-0 at Kasarani Annex, on Sunday.

Second half substitutes Rodgers Ouma and Lawrence Luvanda scored the two crucial goals in the final half to help Robert Matano cement his lead at the top of the standings.

Tusker and Homeboyz remain joint top on 60 points, but the brewers enjoy a four-goal advantage.

“We have high hopes of winning the title after collecting the three points, which were crucial to us. All we have to do is give our all in the last match of the season,” Matano said after the match.

The winner of the Premier League title will be known on Sunday when the 2021-2022 season comes to an end.

Tusker will host Posta Rangers at Ruaraka Grounds, while Homeboyz will face Kariobangi Sharks at Bukhungu Stadium, in Kakamega.

The title will be Tusker’s to lose because Kakamega Homeboyz need to score at least five goals to pip Tusker to the title, hoping the brewers won’t score.

For as long as Tusker score in their final game, then it will be a tall order for Homeboyz as they chase the league title.

Meanwhile, Kenyan football woes continued on Sunday after Talanta FC failed to show up for their match against Kakamega Homeboyz at Ruaraka Grounds.

Talanta players failed to show up for the match owing to unpaid salaries and match winning bonuses.

The game was key to the 2021-2022 Premier League title race between Homeboyz and Tusker as the two sides headed into the weekend joint top on 57 points and separated only by goal difference.

The walkover means Homeboyz have bagged three points and two goals without kicking a ball heading to their final fixture against Kariobangi Sharks at the weekend.

It is not clear if Talanta will honour tomorrow’s re-scheduled clash against Gor Mahia at Kasarani.

Talanta head coach Ken Kenyatta couldn’t hide his frustration after the debacle. He said the players have not trained for the past seven days.

This is not the first time a walkover is issued in the 2021-2022 season.

Already relegated Mathare United have issued three walkovers against Sofapaka, Ulinzi Stars and Bandari, while Kariobangi Sharks didn’t turn up for their clash against AFC Leopards last month.

Elsewhere, Vihiga Bullets have been relegated to the National Super League.

The newbies’ fate was confirmed after losing 4-1 to Kenya Police in a crucial match at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.

Bullets, who were promoted to the top tier league last year, will now join Mathare United in next season’s Super League.

The FKF Transition Committee relegated Mathare last month after the slum boys failed to honour three consecutive league matches.

Seventeenth-placed Bullets have 21 points after their defeat to the service men.

Mathematically, Bullets cannot survive the drop even if they win their last match against Wazito and are awarded three points in their botched clash against Gor Mahia because they can only achieve 27 points.

This means that Wazito, who have 28 points after their 2-1 win over Posta Rangers on Saturday, will play in the FKF Promotion/Relegation play-off.

 

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