18 teams for KPL: Nakumatt, Homeboyz get the nod after KPL/FKF meeting

 

Kakamega Homeboyz and Nakumatt have been promoted to next season's 18-team Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

Homeboyz and Nakumatt finished second in the National Super League Zone 'A' and 'B' respectively behind Shabana and Posta Rangers who sealed their automatic promotion for winning the two leagues in the 16-league format.

However, with the idea of expanding the league, the two runners-up got their promotion yesterday after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Secretary General Michael Esakwa put pen to paper confirming their new status, which has been under debate.

"By the powers and mandate bestowed and conferred on Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee, we hereby declare Nakumatt FC and Kakamega Homeboyz promoted from FKF National Super League Zone 'A' and 'B' to the Kenyan Premier League 2015 season," read the statement.

"We wish you well and good success in the 2015 Premier League season."

According to FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya, the decision has been taken as per the recommendation of the FKF/KPL technical committee.

"The Committee didn't want to interfere with relegation process and that's why Nairobi City Stars have to go down. KPL has not been spending its money well and the new teams need less than Sh20 million to participate in the league. The small difference in opinion between us and KPL has been about their expenditure," said Nyamweya.

"It's my hope that the money will be saved to facilitate this expansion. We are not telling Supersport to add more money to their sponsorship package. They will just continue with their televising programme of 16 teams until the deal is renewed.

"Concerning the new calendar, it will soon be adopted. We need to be ready first and we hope to implement it after two years or so."

Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula couldn't hide his joy on his side's return to the topflight football.

"Finally, God has answered our prayers and I am glad we have made it to the Premier League again. We've invested heavily in the team and we deserved to play in the top-flight football again. We thank the federation for making this achievable," said Shimanyula.

"At least Kakamega county has a team of its own after Western Stima moved base to Kisumu. We learned a lot in our maiden KPL season and with those experiences I am confident we will give the big boys a run for their money."

Nakumatt team manager Albert Wesonga was similarly pleased with the promotion.

"The entire Nakumatt fraternity is pleased with the promotion. It's because of our hard work that we've been elevated. City Stars had been reinstated at our expense, but now transparency has prevailed. We know it will not be easy in KPL but we are looking forward to a great season," said Wesonga.

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