Day of firsts: Posta suffer defeat to Talanta as Sofapaka down Police in Machakos

If there was any narrative that Posta's run was to persist without blemish, a rough Saturday afternoon at the Ruaraka Grounds in Nairobi put that argument to rest, as they were frustrated, and ultimately engineered their own downfall in a 3-1 loss to Talanta FC.

Their first defeat of the season was one to forget for head coach John Kamau, as after seeing his goalkeeper Samuel Njau hand Alfred Tanui the game's opener in the fifth minute, ultimately saw his side capitulate in surprising fashion, and thanks to a another mix of comical errors from centre back Kennedy Odhiambo in the 11th and 76th minutes respectively.

Sofapaka 1-0 Kenya Police

Elsewhere at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, Sofapaka registered their first win of the season in six attempts after downing visitors Kenya Police, who themselves stumbled to their first defeat under new head coach Zdravko Logarusic.

Terming their week as one set out to 'mend their Achillles heel' former Mathare United midfielder Khalid Jumaan scored the only goal of the game in the 35th minute, sealing a 1-0 win for Batoto ba Mungu.

The result did not affect Ezekiel Akwana's side position on the standings however, as they remain bottom of the log with four points, and an inferior goal difference to 17th placed AFC Leopards - also winless.

Mailmen's downfall to resolute Talanta

Atop the FKF Premier League summit and unbeaten in six games to start the season, a calmer start to the game could have been the message that rang with the team over the two-week International break, but on this sunny afternoon, pressure looked to have wrecked the entire team, and it didn't take long for it to 'break pipes.'

A seemingly easy pass to custodian Samuel Njau to play out from the back was casually received and with him taking a few seconds to set his feet right, a lurking Alfred Emoni pounced, easily slotting the game's opener, and much to the angst on the Mailmen backline.

The next moments would test Posta's mettle, and while a feeling of them settling right into it, the overzealous Talanta was offering no space and time for that, jumping into every challenge, and forcing the day's visitors to fury.

Kennedy Odhiambo was the next culprit for Posta when he hacked down an advancing Alex Juma inside the box, the latter stepping up to send Njau to the opposite direction of a well taken spot-kick to the right.

A goal conceded in six matches had all of a sudden turned into two in eleven minutes, and with it some misery to John Kamau - calling for calm on the sidelines.

A substitution inside the half-hour mark was inevitable as the one of two changes in the game - Meshack Muyonga - was taken off for Jackson Macharia.

In such a contest, the only way Posta were getting themselves back was from some unorthodox play, and after a period of calm - one brought about by a James Omusinde injury - a route back ensued.

NSL: Mathare United hand Mara Sugar FC first defeat of the season

A freekick by Titus Achesa from the right found a towering Dinken Mwema who headed in past the Talanta defense, raising hope for his side as they went to the halftime break feeling rather fortunate after a disastrous start.

Attacking on the other end in the second half was opportunity for Posta to pin down Talanta in their own half, which they did, but with nothing to write home about for the first 15 minutes, and thanks to the duo of Brian Okoth and keeper Omusinde.

While the former was booting balls off his area, the latter was brave out of his box, whilst adding a bit of time-wasting to his display.

One of his delays led to another goal, this time to his side's benefit, as another moment of miscommunication in the Posta backline led to Odhiambo rebounding Njau's clearance to his own net.

76 minutes gone, heads slumped and a silent bench behind Kamau.

That would be Posta's state as they failed to re-engineer a route back.

Immortality breached.

KCB 1-1 Ulinzi Stars

In a late kickoff at the Moi International Sports Stadium- Kasarani, Stephen Ochieng conceded a late own goal in the second minute of added time that saw his side settle for a 1-1 draw with KCB.

Mark Bikokwa had given the visitors a lead after 86 minutes when he connected well to a Shannel Makwata cross, before the bankers earned themselves a point, one that took them to third on the FKF Premier League log with 12 points from the opening seven games.

Anthony Kimani’s Ulinzi are 12th on the standings with seven points.

Saturday

KCB 1-1 Ulinzi Stars

Sofapaka 1-0 Kenya Police

Talanta FC 3-1 Posta Rangers

Sunday

1300: Kariobangi Sharks vs Muhoroni Youth

1500: (2.70) Tusker (2.85) Gor Mahia (2.80)

1500: (2.45) Shabana (3.00) Nairobi City Stars 2.95)

1500: (2.40) Nzoia Sugar (3.00) Kakamega Homeboyz (3.00)

1500: (2.20) Bandari (3.00) AFC Leopards (3.40)

1500: (2.05) Bidco United (3.05) Murang'a Seal (3.80)

***odds are subject to change***