KPL - KENYAN PREMIER LEAGUE - NEWS

   

KENYA: Premier League
13:00	Fin	Ushuru	1 - 0	Chemelil	(1 - 0)
15:15	Fin	Nairobi City	2 - 2	Thika Utd.	(0 - 1)

Nairobi City Stars 2-2 Thika United: Stars’ salvage late point

Gambian Sanneh Ebrima saved the day for the struggling side after he scored with five minutes to go to deny Thika United maximum points

Nairobi City Stars came from behind to force a 2-2 draw against Thika United in a SportPesa Premier League match played at City Stadium on Friday.

City Stars will have to thank Gambian striker Sanneh Ebrima, who was the hero of the day with a brace. Thika United looked set to be going away with all three points when Mwinyi Kibwana added a second goal in the 78th minute after Vincent Omumbo had scored the opener in the 37th minute through a penalty.

Thika United, who have registered tremendous improvement since former head coach Tim Byrett quit the club four weeks ago, were dominant from the first whistle. Kennedy Otieno had the first effort releasing a long shot which was stopped by Ronnie Kagunzi in the City Stars goal.

Kagunzi was called into action again at the quarter hour mark as he did everything to put out Ray Omondi's effort. Then in the 37th minute, John Amboko brought down Kennedy Otieno inside his box and Vincent Omumbo stepped up to score from the penalty spot as Thika United went to the break leading.

City Stars made the first substitution resting Yusuf Suf for Bruno Sserunkuma and it almost paid off with Sanneh Ebrima almost getting them ahead at the hour mark.

Jimmy Bageya, who had remained quiet for a good part in the match forced a full stretch save from Thika United goalkeper Hamuza Muwonge. Almost after that Mwinyi Kibwana netted the second goal and it looked as if it was all done for the Kawangware side.

Two moments of brilliance by Sanneh towards the end of the match ensured that Nairobi City Stars picked a crucial point.

Ebrima on the double as City Stars hold Thika

Gambian forward Sanneh Ebrima scored twice for City Stars as they came from behind to hold Thika United as Ushuru goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo popped up at the other end of the field to drill home a penalty that buried Chemelil Sugar at City Stadium in Friday’s double header.

City Stars 2-2 Thika United (City Stadium)

City Stars’s jewel Sanneh Ebrima came to the rescue of his relegation battling side with a brace superbly cancel out Thika United’s two-goal lead.

Thika's Vincent Omumbo scored the first goal of the match in the 32nd minute via a penalty after Kennedy Otieno was brought down in the box by City Stars's Jackson Onjola.

Second half substitute Mwinyi Kibwana doubled Thika’s lead in the 75th minute as the visitors looked to hit cruise control.

Red-hot Ebrima, however, had other ideas halving the deficit three minutes later with a glancing header off John Amboko's free kick. The Gambian striker was at it again in the 85th minute when he beat Thika goalkeeper Hamza Muwonge with aplomb for his ninth goal of the season.

Ushuru 1-0 Chemelil Sugar (City Stadium)

Ushuru returned to winning ways and the accompanying three points that pushed them from 10th place to eighth on the SportPesa Premier League table.

Ushuru goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo scored via a penalty a minute to the break after Smith Ouko had handled the ball inside the box.

Ushuru's Nelson Marasowe received his matching orders after he was booked twice in the first minute of added time for rough play and later showing dissent to the referee. But it did not matter - at least on the part of the Kenya Revenue side as they hanged on for the narrow win.

"This was a very good game. We were struggling at the beginning because Chemelil started off on a very defensive note, but I am glad that the boys found a way out of that," a visibly satisfied Ushuru coach Ken Kenyatta said after the match.


Voting on for KPL Fans Player of the Month (August)

Voting has picked up for the five nominees for August’s SportPesa Premier League Fans Player of the Month award.

The quintet are Lwamba Bebeto (Nakuru All Stars), George Mandela (Muhoroni Youth), Ebrima Sanneh (City Stars), Paul Kiongera (KCB) and Fuadi Ndayisenga (Sofapaka).

Fans can vote for their preferred player onsoka.co.ke.

The poll runs until Monday, September 14 and the winner will be awarded a personalized trophy and KSh10,000 courtesy of Supersport, KPL andsoka.co.ke.

The shortlisted players were outstanding for their respective clubs during the month of August and the vote of the fans will determine who scoops the gong for that month.

KPL Fans Player of the Month is run by soka.co.kein collaboration with KPL and is aimed at raising the profile of local players and the league while promoting interest in the local game.

Gor Mahia’s forward Victor Ali Abondo, former AFC Leopards striker Jacob Keli and AFC Leopards midfielder Bernard Mangoli are the previous winners of the award that was introduced this season.

Nominees for KPL Fans Player of the Month award (August)

Lwamba Bebeto (Nakuru All Stars): A fringe player at Sofapaka in the first leg of the season, he quickly established an influential role at his new club firing in five goals, three of them in the month of August. His fine form is only tainted by a booking in this period.

George Mandela (Muhoroni Youth): Has been a key player in his club’s resurgence over the second half of the season, especially after the arrival of new coach Paul Nkata. During this period his club won four matches and drew one as he weighed in with three goals. Impeccable record all through the month.

Ebrima Sanneh (City Stars): The Gambian striker has been a gem at the relegation candidates. Initially unable to ply his trade in Kenya over work permit issues, no sooner had he obtained the important document than he took to the pitch in a City Stars shirt like fish to water, scoring thrice in the period against Mathare United, Tusker and Western Stima.

Paul Kiongera (KCB): The Kenya international, back with the bankers for another loan stint from Tanzanian giants Simba exploded during this period with four goals to force his way into the league’s top scorers list, two bookings notwithstanding.

Fuadi Ndayisenga (Sofapaka): The Burundi international has been a revelation. He scored once during this period and, significantly, was directly involved in six goals to shore up his side’s dwindling fortunes.

KPL confirms Top 8 fixtures

The Kenyan Premier League have confirmed the fixtures for the Top 8, with last year's finalists Tusker FC and AFC Leopards meeting in the first round.

Tusker enter the encounter as defending champions, but the occasion gives Ingwe the chance to exact some swift revenge, although with the game being such a high-profile one, the KPL are still to confirm the date and venue.

Otherwise, the tournament will officially kick off on Tuesday 26 September, with Sofapaka and Chemelil Sugar raising the curtain at the Moi Stadium.

Reigning KPL champions Gor Mahia will then walk out at the same venue later in the day when they lock horns against Muhoroni Youth, while the action continues on the Wednesday as Ulinzi Stars welcome SoNy Sugar to the Afraha Stadium.

The semi-finals will then take place the following month, with October 28 and November 1 earmarked for the respective encounters, although the venues are yet to be confirmed.

KPL Top 8 fixtures:

Sofapaka v Chemelil Sugar (September 26)

Gor Mahia v Muhoroni Youth (September 26)

Ulinzi Stars v SoNy Sugar (September 27)

Tusker FC v AFC Leopards (TBC)