City Stars survive, Bandari relegated

By GILBERT WANDERA and BOSCO MAGARE

Nairobi City Stars maintained their status in next season’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) courtesy of a convincing 4-2 win over Karuturi Sports at Hope Centre, Saturday.

The result meant that Bandari who held Chemelil Sugar to a barren draw away in Chemelil will drop down to the lower league after becoming the second club to be relegated.

Both City Stars and Bandari finish their matches on 31 points but the former have a better goal aggregate.

City Stars put up a more impressive performance on the last day and were already up 2-0 before the 25th minute.

Francis Thairu, who scored a memorable hat-trick in the match, opened his account in the 20th minute before paving way for Arthur Museve to net the second goal four minutes later.

Peter Juma had Karuturi back in the game on the 33rd minute after converting one of his two penalties.

Thairu was back on the score sheets one minute after resumption and he completed his hat-trick through a 66th minute penalty.

Then it was Peter Juma’s turn to score again from the penalty spot in injury time but then it was too late for the Naivasha side to stage a comeback in a muddy and slippery pitch.

Even as Bandari fell to the relegation zone, Chemelil ensured a top eight finish following the barren draw at home. Chemelil, who are eager to feature in the Top 8 tournament consigned hard fighting coastal side Bandari to the relegation by holding the visitors to a barren draw.

Bandari took to the field on a fast-paced note nearly notching the opener and possibly all-important goal following a fifth minute move by Abdulwahad Musa.