The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Why Sony Sugar's KPL sweetness could end today

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Oct 26, 2019

**Robert Mudenyi of Sony Sugar.** [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

As Sony Sugar struggle to raise a team for today’s Kenyan Premier League match due to financial crisis, head coach James Nandwa is confident the former champions will not be relegated.

The millers are supposed to clash with visiting bottom-placed Kisumu All Stars in a match that could determine their fate in the league.

But the highlight of the weekend will be tomorrow’s double header in Narok. Melis Medo will be making his debut as Wazito coach when they tackle Posta Rangers in an early 2pm tie before paving way for Sofapaka against AFC Leopards at 4.15pm.

Sony are staring at relegation after they failed to honour their last two league matches (AFC Leopards at home and away to Tusker) due to lack of funds following the abrupt departure of their sponsors Quantdragon Limited.

The ‘Hong Kong-based’ Information Technology Company reportedly vanished into the thin air without paying the club a single cent, forcing Sony to dish out two consecutive walk-overs after players skipped training over pay.

Keep Reading

Sensing the relegation danger, the players quickly reassembled in Awendo on Tuesday and started training in preparation for today’s match.

But to ensure they remain in the topflight league, Nandwa has urged the club’s management to make a concerted effort to help them honour the encounter.

“By Thursday, we had fourteen players on the training ground. It is my hope that we will be able to raise a quorum for the Kisumu All Stars game. Our fate is in our own hands. This is a do-or-die match and we must honour it to retain our league status,” Nandwa said.

“I’ve talked to the players and they understand the team’s situation. We are in a difficult situation, but they must fight for their careers even without money.

“We know the Sony Sugar Company is going through a rough patch, but we are still hopeful they will come back on board and support us through whatever means. Even when I was away, most players were training and if push comes to shove, I will just go with a makeshift team.”

While Sony are struggling to raise a team, their rivals Chemelil Sugar, who also failed to travel to Mombasa for their tie against Bandari last weekend, are more than ready to host Kakamega Homeboyz today.

“We can’t afford to dish out another walkover. The boys have been training throughout the week and everybody is ready for the Homeboyz match. We regret failing to travel to Mombasa, but the situation was beyond our control,” said Chemelil assistant coach Charles Odera.