M. KisengePosta Rangers feeling the heat after dropping points again
Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 05.11.23. | 17:00
Coming from a 1-1 draw against Kakamega Homeboyz, Rangers needed nothing short of three points to remain at the top but that was not the case as they were held to a barren draw by KCB
Are Posta Rangers feeling the heat at the top? This must have been the question ringing in the minds of football enthusiasts after the mailmen dropped points yet again on Sunday, wasting the chance to stay at the summit of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League comfortbaly.
Coming from a 1-1 draw against Kakamega Homeboyz, Rangers needed nothing short of three points to remain at the top, but that was not the case as they were held to a barren draw by KCB at the Kasarani Annex.
Much as the encounter was entertaining, with clear chances falling in the direction of both teams, there were no goals, and at the end, a point deservedly went into the accounts of the two teams, though Rangers will feel hard done by the results.
Further an injury to dependable centre back Bernard Ondiek and a late red card to skipper Kennedy Odhiambo Owino thicken the plot for Rangers.
Owino, walking the tight discipline rope, talked himself into trouble as he was cautioned for the second time after the final whistle, meaning that he will miss the next game against AFC Leopards.
Despite all this, coach John Kamau is not a worried man at all, as he believes the rough patch will not last long and, further, will have no impact on the title race.
"There is no cause for alarm at all. We haven't faced our closest challenger in Gor Mahia, which means we have six points to fight for. It is a good race, and if it blows open right now, the league will not be entertaining," said Kamau shortly after the draw.
Last month, Rangers were sitting pretty at the top, but the unwanted results have been inviting pressure and eating up their advantage.
Had Gor Mahia beaten Kenya Police at the Kasarani Main Stadium, they would have shot up to the summit.
K’Ogalo were held to a barren draw by the law enforcers, who are yet to find their footing despite bringing in coach Zdravko Logarusic.
For the investment KCB have made in the team, it is expected of them to be among the title contenders, and the dropped points in this case irked assistant coach Elvis Ayany.
"It was a tough game, but we could have won from the chances created. We were coming from a heavy defeat, and it means there is work to be done, especially on the forward line," said the former Naivas coach.
The draw against KCB leaves Rangers uncomfortable at the top as debutants Murang'a Seal beat Tusker 2-1 at the St.Sebastian Park to move to a point within their reach.
First-half goals from Titus Kapchanga and Batts Awita reduced John Byamukama's strike to mere consolation.
While it was song and dance for Murang'a after the final whistle, the results leave Tusker boss Robert Matano under intense pressure as the team has now lost three successive matches.
Bidco are also in the mix after edging Ulinzi Stars 1-0 at the Lang'ata Sports Complex to cap what has been an impressive week for them, having beaten Muhoroni Youth 3-0 in the mid-week contest.
Chris Owino was the difference in the game, as his goal won the Thika-based club maximum points in Lang'ata.
The winger will be glad to have scored in back-to-back matches within a span of days. Bidco had to do with ten men in the closing stages of the game after John Owira was sent off for a second bookable offence.
In other matches played on Sunday, Shabana extended their poor run as well as dropped to the rock bottom of the log after bowing 2-1 to Bandari at the Mbaraki Grounds.
Ugandan import Derrick Nsibambi and Andrew Juma were on target for Bandari, who have been on top of their game since coach John Baraza took over.
Nehemiah Onchiri scored the lone goal for Shabana, who are still looking for their second win of the season.
Kakamega Homeboyz returned to winning ways after downing Muhoroni Youth 2-0 at the Muhoroni Stadium.
Estone Esiye and Moses Shumah found the back of the net in the second half to see Homeboyz register their third win of the season.
