KPL: KCB stun K’Ogalo 2-0 but red carpet party continues

By GILBERT WANDERA and BRIAN MOSETI

Football Kenya Federation chairman Sam Nyamweya (left) greets Erastus Okul as other federation offi cials watch upon arrival (Right) Limousines carrying K’Ogalo players arrive at the stadium.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) upset Gor Mahia 2-0 but that did not dampen the spirits of the 2013 league champions who put out a red carpet celebration to receive their coveted trophy.

 The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani venue of the tie was turned completely green with eager fans out to celebrate the team’s first trophy after 18 years.

Clifford Alwanga and Jacob Keli scored a goal each in the 36th and 40th minutes to give KCB the all-important win, which helps them cement their fourth position on the log.

Proceedings on the pitch were not the most important thing for most of the fans who were eager for the match to end so that celebrations could kick in.

Fans turned up in their thousands to witness what was dubbed a ‘state’ function and filled the otherwise imposing Kasarani stadium almost to the brim.

The fans, drawn from different parts of the country, started arriving at Kasarani as early as 10am and were kept entertained with music from huge speakers mounted inside the stadium in anticipation of the long night celebrations that were to follow.

BOOMING BUSINESS

Enterprising traders did booming business outside the stadium selling various items branded in the club’s iconic green.

But all hell broke loose at 3pm when four stretch limousines carrying the team drove into the stadium.

The limousines were escorted by enthusiastic fans all the way from Utalii College, causing a huge snarl up on the normally busy Thika Road.

 As soon as the convoy was spotted, fans surrounded the limousines and forced their way inside the stadium. Policemen who were manning the gates scampered for safety and gave way lest they were trampled on. FANS CAME DOWN But the worst was when the limousines were allowed inside the playing area because then fans came down from their seats and poured onto the pitch, leading to the stoppage of a match between Nairobi City Stars and Muhoroni Youth, which the latter won 1-0. The match was stopped for about eight minutes before eventually resuming after stewards managed to convince the fans to get off the pitch.

Several dignitaries among them former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were at the venue together with Siaya Senator James Orengo.

Muhoroni’s lone goal was scored by Olesu Tetieh in the 28th minute and it pushed City Stars back into the battle against relegation. Western Stima held Sofapaka to a barren draw in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played at the Bukhungu Stadium yesterday. The match, which kicked off at 3pm, saw both teams struggle to control the ball due to strong winds at the stadium. Both teams played cautiously, with Stima’s George Wesa repeatedly thwarting Sofapaka’s Bob Mugila’s efforts.

Speaking to FeverPitch, Sofakapka coach Sam Timbe said: “The game was competitive but I’m happy with the way we played.”—gwandera@standardmedia. co.ke and bmoseti@ standardmedia.co.ke,