KENYAN PREMIER LEAGUE - news

  

Eight SPL players named in Kenya’s World Cup squad

Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson on Monday named a squad of 20 players for October’s World Cup preliminary round qualifier against Mauritius.

Eight SportPesa Premier League players were included in Williamson’s team with Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards producing two call ups each, while Thika United, Ulinzi Stars, Mathare United and Bandari had one player apiece making the cut.

The eight are Boniface Oluoch, Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia) Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United), Edwin Wafula, Bernard Mangoli (AFC Leopards), Kevin Amwayi (Ulinzi Stars), Johanna Omollo (Mathare United) and Abdulatif Omar (Bandari).

A surprise inclusion in the squad is little-known Peter Nzuki who turns out for Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Nakumatt.

Overlooked for this assignment is SPL top scorer Jesse Were of Tusker. Also failing to get a call is Kenya’s ace striker Dennis Oliech, defender Lawrence Olum of Malaysia's Kedah FA and Gor Mahia midfielder Collins Okoth, who all played as starters for Kenya in their 2-1 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier loss to Zambia in Nairobi on September 6.

The first leg of the round will be played in Mauritius on October 7 with the return fixture in Nairobi on October 11.

Kenya’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers squad. Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (Lillestrom, Norway), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia, Kenya); Defenders: David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), David Ochieng’ (anattached), Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards);Midfielders: Bernard Mang’oli (AFC Leopards), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt), Kevin Amwayi (Ulinzi), Johanna Omollo (Mathare United), Abdullatif Omar (Bandari), Teddy Akumu (Al Khartoum, Sudan), Johanna Ochieng Omollo (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England), Ayub Timbe (SK Lierse, Belgium); Forwards: Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Allan Wanga (Azam, Tanzania), Jacob Kelli (Nkana Red Devils, Zambia)

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THE MEN IN BLACK: AFC Leopards and Muhoroni coaches lash out at referees for poor officiating

Referee Moses Osano and his assistant are shield by AFC Leopards stewards as they run for safety after KPL match between City stars and AFC Leopards at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 19/07/15.AFC won 2-1.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO At the beginning of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season, poor officiating seemed to have been a big issue until it appeared to have been sorted out.

But the issue reared it is ugly ahead once again during Top-8 matches played at the weekend with losing coaches Paul Nkata (Muhoroni Youth) and Zradvko Logaruic (AFC Leopards) accusing the men in back of favouring their opponents. Nkata’s side went down 3-0 to Gor Mahia while AFC Leopards were thumped 4-2 by defending champions Tusker in a match that witnessed hooliganism after a section of fans caused disruptions on the pitch. Speaking after his side slumped to their first defeat since taking over at the club, the former Nairobi City Stars coach said: “Today, we played against twelve men. The referee did not officiate the match well and it was evident for all to see. “He overlooked our fouls but awarded our opponents every advantage and that frustrated my players who as a result lost concentration. He played a part in our loss,” Nkata said. The Ugandan claimed to have out-played Gor Mahia in every department especially in the first half where his side managed to hold onto a barren draw before crushing out in the second half.

But Nkata’s comments were quickly countered by his Gor Mahia opposite number Frank Nuttall who accused their opponents of playing a dirty game and denying his players opportunities to showcase their best. On Sunday, Logarusic was also on the defensive lashing out at the centre referee despite the huge loss his side suffered. The Croat said: “Officiating is a concern not only today but in many matches I have watched this season.


“There are many incidents which the referee overlooked, a decision which was wrong. It is embarrassing to see situations like this every now and then, and they are clear to anyone. Maybe they could have changed the outcome.” Aside from the complains over poor officiating, there will be some mouth-watering matches in the semifinals with Gor Mahia taking on Tusker and Sofapaka meeting surprise team Sony Sugar. The KPL champions have qualified for every semifinal match of the tournament since its inception five years again and have twice lost to the brewers making this year’s clash a grudge match. The first time the two sides met at this stage was in 2013 when they went down 1-0 and then again last year losing by a similar margin.

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TOP SCORERS

Player	Goals	Team
Jesse Were	19	Tusker FC
Michael Olunga	15	Gor Mahia
Meddie Kagere	13	Gor Mahia
John Makwata	11	Ulinzi Stars
Paul Mungai Kiongera	10	KCB
Ali Abondo	9	Gor Mahia
Boniface Akenga	9	Nakuru AllStars
Sanneh Ebrima	9	Nairobi City Stars
Jacob Keli	8	AFC Leopards
John Baraza	8	Sofapaka

NO	Team	M	PT
1	Gor Mahia	26	66
2	Ulinzi Stars	26	51
3	Sofapaka	26	42
4	Muhoroni Youth fc	26	39
5	Tusker FC	26	38
6	AFC Leopards	26	38
7	Bandari	26	38
8	Ushuru FC	26	35
9	Western Stima	26	33
10	Thika United	26	32
11	SoNy Sugar	26	31
12	Mathare United	26	30
13	Chemelil Sugar	26	27
14	KCB	26	22
15	Nairobi City Stars	26	21
16	Nakuru AllStars	26	18