Four horse race: Tusker, Gor, Sofapaka and Chemelil locked up in KPL title hunt

Sofapaka's John Njoroge( right ) Daniel Murage of Chemelil Sugar's Willis Obayi during their KPL match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on 23-07-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

With just six matches to the end of the Kenya Premier League, already the results are becoming clearer from the points on the log, which come from the performance on the pitch.

It's the final crucial stretch where there are clear favourites for the title with the race being reduced to just four teams - Gor Mahia, Sofapaka, Tusker and Chemelil.

Perhaps the league standings are not reflecting what many people thought. Many had predicted Gor Mahia to be a distance off the summit due to their basket full of problems, stemming from financial constraints, departure of key players who helped the club lift the title last year, and the inconveniences caused by coach Bobby Williamson leaving the club for Harambee Stars.

From the disappointment in continental assignments, which dates back to the hammering in Tunisia and the recent Cecafa regional tournament in Kigali, Gor Mahia came back much stronger and ready to prove critics wrong. Indeed, despite having some bad outings and surviving the heat without a sponsor since early this year, they are the ambrosia of KPL and the results can be achieved through focus and commitment.

 

Continental football

Their problems notwithstanding, Gor have done well to stick out their heads as they sit top of the KPL log with 47 points. Winning the title will be the best news for Gor Mahia this year because they will have another chance to make it right back to continental football next year.

Sofapaka are firmly in the race with just one point behind Gor Mahia after beating Muhoroni Youth over the weekend and all coach Sam Timbe and his boys can wish for is a result that would favour them between tomorrow's clash where Gor Mahia entertains Bandari at City Stadium. Of course the results will only firm Gor's grip at the summit, where they have one game advantage over Sofapaka.

Tusker, placed at position three with 41 points, looked a more complete team with quality players without any financial problems off the pitch but coach Francis Kimanzi is now left to play catch-up with the top two. This was after Tusker dropped points against City Stars last Friday at Ruaraka grounds in a 1-1 draw.

Chemelil Sugar have been stalking their top rivals quietly in the KPL with a series of good performance. Their main undoing, however, has been the many draws registered, which has derailed their cruise. They are six points away from the leaders Gor Mahia and only have five matches to battle for.

The battle of the middle-table position is quite intense as only four points are separating seven teams which are training their eyes on qualifying for the lucrative Top Eight tourney.