FKF Premier League set for a dramatic final day

Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla dribbles the ball past Tusker defender Kevin Monyi (right) during their FKF Premier League match at Nyayo Stadium on May 28, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The FKF Premier League is set for a dramatic and thrilling final day of the season today (Sunday).

With the relegation battle already sealed, focus will be at Kasarani Stadium and Mumias Sports Complex where the 2022/23 season champions will be crowned.

Every team will be in action and all games are scheduled to kick off at 3pm with history set to be written and records broken.

While leaders Gor Mahia (67) will be seeking to bag their record 20th Premier League title when they face their bogey team Nairobi City Stars at Kasarani, second-placed Tusker (66) are out to win the trophy for keep, following their back to back victories in 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns in Mumias against relegated Vihiga Bullets.

Just like the title race, the winner of the golden boot battle between Kenya Police's Elvis Rupia (26) and Gor Mahia's Benson Omalla (25) is expected to be known today.

Though wounded K'Ogalo slightly complicated their title chances following mid-week's shocking 3-2 defeat to Kakamega Homeboyz, Johnathan McKinstry's boys know destiny is still in their own hands as they just need to maximum points to reclaim the title they lost to their new-found rivals, Tusker, in 2021.

And it is something that Harambee Stars winger Boniface Omondi knows very well following his past exploits with Gor Mahia.

Having won the title with Gor four seasons in a row (2017, 2018, 2018/19 and 2019/20), the former Nzoia Sugar man wants his teammates to put their devastating defeat against Homeboyz behind them and restore their pride today.

He is determined to help the team return to the CAF Champions League next season.

"The title is ours to lose, we have one hand on the trophy already, but it's up to us to get the job done. We put ourselves into this situation and we must get out of it as champions," Omondi told Standard Sports.

"Of course, pressure is coming from all quarters, more so after we conceded more than three goals for the first time this season.

"The defeat to Homeboyz came as a surprise, but that should be taken as a wakeup call and restore our pride.

"It will be really embarrassing to see the trophy leave Kasarani, we must do everything to ensure the trophy remains at Kasarani today. I know most of the boys in the team have never won a title, but we are all determined to play in the continental competition next season."

Just like Omondi, McKinstry has challenged his charges to bring their 'A' game against City Stars and hand him his maiden league title.

"We know if we pick up the three points on Sunday, we will be champions and so, it's a Cup final on Sunday. The idea is, you win and you get it, and if you don't win chances are you will not have it. So, it's very clear," said McKinstry.

But it will not be a walk in the park for the Green Army if the comments of City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti is anything to go by.

"They (Gor Mahia) have the key to their own destiny and pressure is on their side. For us, we are just concentrating on getting the three points and finishing the league on a high note.

"If they wanted to be champions, they should have won the league earlier," said Muyoti.

And having previously emerged victorious in such circumstances, Tusker coach Robert Matano will be hoping for lady luck to smile his way again.

In 2012, Matano, who has so far lifted four Premier League titles including the 2009 gong with Sofapaka on their league debut, was in charge as the brewers thrashed City Stars 3-0 at Hope Centre, Kawangware to dramatically snatch the title from front-runners Gor. K'Ogalo were held to a 1-1 draw by defunct Thika United at City Stadium.

It was the same scenario in the 2020/21 season when they fried Bidco United 2-1 on the last day of the competition despite, second-placed, KCB's 3-0 win over City Stars.

Then come 2021/22 season, the Ruaraka-based side beat Kakamega Homeboyz to the title on goal difference after a 2-0 victory as Homeboyz were awarded a walkover after Kariobangi Sharks failed to honour the match.

"Our mind is on the trophy. Everything is squarely on the boys; they have a chance of writing history for themselves by winning it for keeps and also on the final day," said Matano.

But sadly, Mathare United's 25-year stay in the Premier League comes to an end today as they tackle Wazito in Muhoroni after being relegated on Wednesday. The Slum Boys drew 1-1 with Ulinzi Stars to join Vihiga Bullets in the National Super League next season.