PROMOTION BATTLE: Zoo Kericho lead chase for elite league honours as Kariobangi Sharks, too, boost their chances

Haggard Baraza(R) of Talanta FC and Dennis Okoth of ZOO FC battle for ball possession during their FKF Premier League match at Kasarani stadium on Saturday 04/04/15.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Zoo Kericho became the first club to hit the 60-point mark as competition for next year’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) slots heats up.

The Kericho-based side edged Agro Chemicals 2-1 at home to go back to the top of the log and remained on course to picking one of the places to the top league next season.

Zoo Kericho were last year denied an opportunity to play in the KPL, but this time look set to make up for that miss.

The club has taken its opponents seriously and is reported to have hired former Thika United coach John Kamau to help their cause.

Kamau confirmed yesterday that he had been hired simply as a consultant and not on a full-time basis.

“The chairman of the club approached me and informed me he has a problem with the striking department and asked that I help them.

I was with them at the weekend and we did what we did. If any club approaches me needing help I’ll go to them,” he said.

Kamau also confirmed he has ended his self-imposed sabbatical and is ready to get back to action soon.

The former Thika United tactician last handled Posta Rangers where he was dropped for poor performance.

Right on the nose of Zoo Kericho are Rangers who have so far collected 59 points, though with a match less.

Rangers have found new impetus since signing former Sony Sugar coach Zedekiah Otieno two months ago. Rangers are the unluckiest team in the league. Last season, they had comfortably won the second-tier league and were to be promoted but problems between the federation and Kenyan Premier League Ltd over the promotion criteria denied them an opportunity to go up.

This time they are not taking any chances and club chairman John Tonui said they are fighting for either a top or second spot.

“Our aim is to finish among the top two teams so that we avoid what happened last season. So far everything is going on well and we should be able to achieve our objectives,” he said.

Kariobangi Sharks stayed on course for promotion with a 3-0 win over struggling Ligi Ndogo, a result that left coach Michael Amenga excited.

“Our target is to hit 65 points and with the matches remaining we are confident this can happen,” he said.

Sharks face Shabana in the next match away hoping to keep up their winning ways.