FKF PL title race goes down to the wire

Gor Mahia's George Odhiambo (left) vies for an aerial ball with Tusker's Kevin Monyi during their FKF PL match at Nyayo Stadium on May 28. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The 2022/2023 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season title race took a twist on Wednesday after leaders Gor Mahia lost while defending champions Tusker dropped two points.

Kakamega Homeboyz came from behind three times to edge out K'Ogalo 3-2 at Kasarani Stadium, and consequently secure their second win in less than three months against the record champions.

Ugandan international Patrick Kaddu gave Gor the lead in the 11th minute before Ambrose Sifuna drew level on the stroke of halftime.

Gor regained the lead through Austin Odhiambo's effort two minutes into the second half but Kevin Amwayi restored parity in the 56th minute.

While the game looked set to be headed for a 2-2 stalemate, Hillary Juma had other plans as his extra-time goal threw the title race wide open ahead of the final round of the season.

Despite the defeat, Gor Mahia remain top of the table with 67 points, one ahead of Tusker rallied to share the spoils with Posta Rangers (1-1).

The brewers had their own troubles at Ruaraka Grounds after finding themselves trailing 1-0 at the break against struggling Posta Rangers side who had not won seven of their last matches (five defeats and two draws).

Jackson Dwang netted in the ninth minute to give Posta a surprise 1-0 lead before Ugandan Degracious Ojok saved the hosts' blushes with a 54th minute equaliser.

With the result, both Tusker and Gor Mahia are set for a thrilling season ending on June 25.

In other matches, Sofapaka clawed AFC Leopards 2-1, KCB beat Nzoia Sugar 2-0 while Kenya Police thrashed Vihiga Bullets 4-1.

It was a record making match for Police as their striker Elvis Rupia broke the 47-year-old KPL goal scoring record of Maurice 'Sonyi' Ochieng who scored 26 goals in 1976.

Rupia's double lifted him above Benson Omalla who now has 25 goals after failing to score in the past four matches.

Meanwhile, Mathare United were relegated to the National Super League.

This is after they played out to a 1-1 draw against Ulinzi Stars as their fellow strugglers Wazito secured the relegation/promotion playoff spot with a narrow 1-0 win over Bidco United.

The draw left the Slum Boys second last on 23 points, six points behind Wazito who will now play the third ranked team from the 2022/2023 NSL.

Mathare, who were saved from relegation last year in November when the reinstated FKF management declared the 2021/2022 season null and void, have themselves to blame for the axe.

While last year Mathare were relegated by the FKF Caretaker Committee after dishing three walkovers due to financial constraints, this season it was because they lost 24 of their 33 played matches albeit only registering seven wins and two draws.