Mahakama won but now hang by a thread

By GILBERT WANDERA

The 28th round of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) left Mahakama hanging by a thread despite beating Mathare United 2-0 on Sunday. Mahakama can still finish with 30 points if they beat Sofapaka and Chemelil Sugar on November 13.

For it to come together for the Justice Boys, they will need to wipe out or reduce their -12 goal difference lower enough to rise above Chemelil who have -6 goal difference and hopes that Nick Yakhama’s Sugar Millers marks time on 30 points. The Judiciary outfit put up a polished performance against the 2008 champions Mathare United in Karuturi, but Sammy Omollo’s men ironically face real prospects of demotion.

PERSONAL TRAGEDY

If relegated, it will the club’s major blow and Omollo’s personal tragedy having, through sheer determination, steered the team back to the top league after only season in the lower league and was expected to guarantee their place in the KPL at least for another season.

It, however, does not come as a shock considering that the team started badly and at one point was forced to recruit a whole new starting line-up. The side showed a little promise in the second leg only to falter at the end. The relegation casts major doubts over the future of the club considering t they will have to do without the annual Sh3million grant they receive from KPL.

With Mahakama hanging on, Red Berets, KCB , Chemelil Sugar or Posta Rangers are the other candidates for relegation and have to win their remaining matches to ensure survival.

Interestingly, it will be another last minute attempt to survive launched by Berets who for the last three seasons have left it late to remain in the top league.